Court told of bruising on Liberty's body

Liberty Templeman. File photo / Supplied

The pathologist who examined the body of slain schoolgirl Liberty Templeman has described the bruising he found on the teenager's body.

As the trial against the teenaged boy alleged to have killed Liberty, 15, enters its second week in the High Court at Whangarei, the jury of six men and women was this morning shown photos of the injuries alleged to have been inflicted on her in Kerikeri on November 1, 2008.

Liberty's parents, Andrew and Rebecca Templeman remained composed but left the courtroom while Dr Tim Koelmyer gave graphic evidence, which left other supporters seated with the family visibly distressed.

The pathologist, who retired two weeks ago, spoke of bruising to Liberty's right and left temple areas, which he said were not visible until he performed an autopsy.

The bruising was worse on the left side and was consistent with an impact from something the size of an adult male's palm, he said.

"This is the kind of bruise one sees after, for instance, something like a punch, a softer blow."

Dr Koelmyer explained the different injuries found on Liberty's face but said the promising drama student died from drowning.

He found no evidence of any disease.

"She was perfectly healthy."

He also described scratches from the nape of her neck to her buttocks, which he believed showed that Liberty had been dragged, most likely by someone holding the clothing on the upper half of her body.

The Crown case is that the boy, then aged 14, hit Liberty, strangled her and dragged her while she was unconscious, leaving her in a stream where she drowned.

He is also alleged to have pulled at her clothing to make it appear as if someone else attacked her.

The trial before Justice Raynor Asher, is expected to continue until at least Friday.