Day five in the Fred Prosser murder trial was a difficult one for Sabrina Patterson’s family, as they listened to graphic details about how she was murdered.
The forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy on the 25-year-old mother of two took the stand today in Moncton provincial court.
Dr. Kalman Protzner confirmed Patterson was strangled and also told the court she was likely raped.
Patterson was reported missing on Oct. 31, 2010.
Her body was found nearly two weeks later in a wooded area in Shenstone, N.B.
Protzner testified Patterson hadn’t been killed there, however, and that her body had likely been moved to where it was found.
“It is hard hearing, it really is,” says Dale Patterson, the victim’s brother.
The court also heard Patterson suffered blunt trauma injuries to several parts of her body.
Her former boyfriend and father of her two children is charged with first-degree murder in her death, as well as two counts of sexual assault.
Fred Prosser has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The defence asked Protzner if there was bruising on Patterson’s thighs and buttocks, which is common in cases of rape.
Protzner responded none were noted in his report, and added if there had been bruising, he would have documented it.
“I mean, to hear something like that being done to any human being is hard to grasp. It is hard to realize something like that could happen,” says Dale Patterson.
The victim’s esthetician also took the stand today, to provide a reference point for injuries. Patterson visited the esthetician the last day she was seen.
Testimony will continue Wednesday with the Crown’s final two witnesses.
A total of 40 witnesses are expected to testify by the end of the trial.
With files from CTV Atlantic's David Bell
