KEY POINTS:
Severe brain injuries discovered in infants Chris and Cru Kahui were probably inflicted within 48 hours of the twins being rushed to hospital, a pathologist said yesterday.
Jane Zuccollo, who reviewed the boys' post-mortem examination details and other medical reports, said doctors could predict the timing of brain trauma "within days rather than hours", but estimated both boys suffered their final injuries "around the same time".
She estimated baby Cru suffered severe non-accidental brain injuries no less than five days, but no more than seven days, before his death.
The three-month-olds died on June 18 last year, five days after being admitted to Auckland's Starship hospital with numerous injuries, including bleeding in the brain, retinal haemorrhages and broken bones.
The boys' father, Chris Sonny Kahui, 22, is accused of murdering them while their mother, Macsyna King, was away from the couple's Mangere home.
He is defending the charges, which are the focus of a Manukau District Court depositions hearing.
Dr Zuccollo told the court the babies could have been expected to manifest symptoms of severe brain injury - which could include a cessation of breathing - "immediately afterward, or at least within 10 minutes" of the trauma.
The court has heard evidence that Cru Kahui suddenly stopped breathing on the night of June 12, and Dr Zuccollo said such an event - the night before both boys were admitted to hospital - was "significant" and "an expected finding in an infant who has sustained a severe head injury".
Stuart King - who lived with the couple - earlier told the court he had been in his bedroom that evening, when his partner, Mona Kahui, appeared looking "scared and frightened".
"She came and got me and said Cru had stopped breathing."
He said he went into the twins' room to find Kahui and his father "Banjo" Kahui with Cru. Both men looked "freaked out, scared".
Cru was lying in Kahui's arms, pale in the face and dark purple in the lips.
Mr King told the court he seized the boy, who was not breathing, and began rubbing his back.
He said the boy was breathing "in short bursts, like he was sucking air through a straw".
"He [Cru] was cold. His hands were all floppy, his whole body was limp."
The told the court the group had argued over who to contact.
"Banj[o] wanted to ring an ambulance, Chris wanted to ring Macs[yna]."
Dr Zuccollo also told the court of historic injuries apparent on the boys.
Baby Chris showed evidence of historic brain injuries, and also had an "extremely obvious" fracture of the thigh bone. The break - described as a complete displacement - would have been extremely painful.
Both boys had historic rib fractures.
Mr King also told the court Kahui had on three occasions talked about surrendering to police after the deaths. "He said to me that he just wanted to end everyone's hurt." However, Kahui had never said he was responsible for the boys' death.
The hearing, before Judge Roy Wade, continues today.
