Community Corner

Pathologist: Strangulation Not The Only Possibility

The former state chief medical examiner testifies there are other ways Camden Fry could have died.

There is more than one way Camden Fry could have died in Aug. 2009, according to former state chief medical examiner Dr. Elizabeth Laposata, who defense attorney Sarah Wright called to the stand as she began her defense of Kimberly Fry Friday morning.

Laposata testified she examined the body on Aug. 19, 2009, the day after former medical examiner Dr. William Cox performed the original autopsy on the 8-year-old girl's body. Laposata made similar findings as Cox, specifically noting the petechial hemmorhaging under Camden's eyelids. Contrary to Cox, however, Laposata said there are several ways the petechia — defined as reddish or purplish spots containing blood that appear in skin or mucous membranes as a result of localized hemorrhaging — could have occurred.

"Petechial hemmorhaging indicates an asphyxial process — death due to lack of blood and lack of oxygen to the brain," Laposata said. "There are several ways that can happen."

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The petechial bruises in the eyelids are caused by pressure being built up in the head when blood flow is restricted back to the heart. Cox, testifying for the prosecution, said last week there is only one form of death that causes petechial marks to apear in the eyelids — manual strangulation. Laposata suggested that is not the only option.

Kimberly Fry is charged with second-degree murder, accused of strangling her daughter on Aug. 10, 2009, during a temper tantrum over the girl's reluctance to take a bath.

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Laposata also examined what are known as tardieu spots on Camden's chest and neck. Tardieu spots are also blood vessel hemmorhages, but are generally larger than petechiae. These, Laposata testified, occurred in Camden's body after death, as a result of compression caused by the body's position. Cox testified last week that the tardieu spots were caused by some sort of blunt force trauma before the girl's death.

Laposata is expected to return to the stand when the trial resumes in Washington County Superior Court this afternoon.


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