Forensic pathologist testifies on cause of death at Dylon Moreira’s murder trial

CTV’s Spencer Turcotte was at the courthouse as a forensic pathologist took the witness stand in a triple stabbing trial.

Warning: Some of the details in this story may be disturbing to some readers.

A forensic pathologist testified Tuesday at the trial of Dylon Moreira.

Dr. Carolyne Lemieux performed the autopsy on Moreira’s girlfriend after the 41-year-old was fatally stabbed on Nov. 15, 2022 at a home on Cayley Court in Kitchener.

The woman’s 7-year-old daughter and Moreira’s 51-year-old mother were also stabbed. Both have since recovered from their injuries.

Moreira was charged with second-degree murder in his girlfriend’s death, as well as two counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

CTV News has decided not to name the two adult victims as they might inadvertently reveal the child’s identity, which is protected by a publication ban.

Pathologist’s testimony

Photos of the girlfriend’s body, taken during her autopsy, were shown in court on Tuesday.

Crown Prosecutor Thomas Mack questioned the forensic pathologist about specific wounds on the victim’s body and the risk level associated with those injuries.

“An injury to the brain tissue can manifest in a variety of ways,” Lemieux said in response to a photo of a stab wound to the victim’s head. “It can be fatal.”

She then described other blunt force injuries to the victim’s head and neck area. Lemieux explained that they had the potential to cut off a person’s crucial blood supply and, in turn, affect brain function.

“It would be akin to losing the central processing unit of a computer,” Lemieux testified.

The pathologist also pointed out an injury to the victim’s chest that she said appeared to be the most critical and capable of causing death.

“Within seconds to minutes, there is concern [of death],” Lemieux stated. She later told the court the victim’s death was caused by her stab wounds.

During cross examination, court heard a dog was also at the Cayley Court home on the night of the incident.

“It is possible the dog could’ve been involved in the assault, correct?” defense lawyer Stephen Gehl asked Lemieux.

She replied: “Correct.”

Gehl also raised the possibility of a struggle with knives at the home that night.

“There may be defensive injuries to both parties?” he asked.

Lemieux responded again with: “Correct.”

Moreira’s physical state

Testimony from the forensic pathologist was paused at one point due to concerns about the accused’s wellbeing.

The defence interrupted the proceedings after Moreira appeared to doze off on several occasions.

Gehl asked Justice Gibson if he could chat with his client about his physical condition.

After a brief recess, Gehl told the court that it was, in part, related to Moreira’s anti-psychotic medication which can cause drowsiness.

“There’s no way I’m going to tell him to stop taking his anti-psychotics,” Gehl stated.

Moreira told the court he was able to continue with the trial, while his lawyer said he would monitor the situation to ensure his client was alert and able to comprehend the proceedings.

Gehl also compared the forensic pathologist’s testimony to the sort of subject matter that students might nod off to during a lecture.

“If I was here without being involved in it, I would be asleep too,” he explained.

The daughter of the victim is expected to testify in court on Wednesday.