Baden-Clay tried to stop experts' scratch evidence

Gerard Baden-Clay's defence team tried to stop forensic experts from telling jurors that three injuries on the now-convicted killer's face were typical of fingernail scratches, it can be revealed.

Baden-Clay's lawyers argued in a pre-trial hearing that jurors could assess the injuries and that expert opinion was unnecessary, the Courier-Mail reports.

Three scratches appeared on Baden-Clay's face on the morning he reported his wife Allison missing.

Queensland Supreme Court Justice Peter Applegarth rejected the defence team’s bid and allowed Dr Robert Hoskins, Dr Leslie Griffiths, Dr Margaret Stark and Professor David Wells to testify for the prosecution about the scratches.

The decision proved crucial in the trial.

Baden-Clay had maintained the injuries on his face were shaving cuts but the four forensic experts told the jury they were more consistent with fingernail scratches, Brisbane Times reports.

Without that expert testimony, Baden-Clay's claims about the injuries may have never been disproved.

On Tuesday he was sentenced to life in prison for his wife's murder.

Source: Courier Mail

Author: Erin Tennant, Approving editor: Martin Zavan