A forensic pathology expert yesterday described how Stacy-Lee Mohale tried to defend herself from the man who raped and killed her.
Dr Iekram Alli says the 16-year-old girl was severely beaten up, stabbed and burnt before she died of her injuries.
It is alleged the teen was killed by Cameron Wilson, 20, who is being tried for 15 charges at the Western Cape High Court.
SURVIVOR: Abigail Plaatjies shows head injuries. CREDIT: Bertram Malgas
Wilson is accused of killing six people, including Stacy-Lee and 19-year-old Lekita Moore in September.
His other charges include rape, attempted murder and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm.
Dr Alli testified that he performed the post-mortem on Stacy-Lee, who was murdered on April 24, 2015, in Heinz Park near Mitchells Plain.
Stacy-Lee and her friend Abigail Plaatjies were attacked by two people and left for dead.
Stacy-Lee was raped, assaulted, stabbed and set alight with a tyre on a soccer field, while Abigail testified on Monday she was stabbed, assaulted and had bricks thrown on her head, when Wilson and his accomplice allegedly returned to check if the girls were dead.
In his testimony, Dr Alli explained the injuries Stacy-Lee had suffered.
“The deceased had a blunt force to the head, meaning a deep skull bruising and fractures to the skull. There was also brain haemorrhaging from the frontal and temporal lobe,” the court heard.
Stacey-Lee also had blood in her lungs, caused by stab wounds to her chest.
“The stab wound to the chest cavity penetrated the lung and caused significant bleeding. She also had defensive wounds on her arms as if she was protecting herself from the stabbing,” Dr Alli said.
He said the girl had burns on her upper body and arms, which were blackened by the rubber from the burning tyre.
“The cause of death was blunt force head injuries. The deceased was alive when she sustained the head and stab wounds,” said Dr Alli.
“It is possible she was alive or awake when rocks were thrown on her. (With) the head injuries sustained by the deceased, she could only live for a little while, a minute, but less than an hour. However the stab wounds could also have led to her death because it penetrated her left lung.
Proceedings for Wilson’s alleged accomplice, who is now 17, were held in camera as he is a minor.
A source described the boy’s testimony as “dramatic and shocking”.
The trial resumes tomorrow.