Government pathologist testifies at Lyns’ murder trial

Government forensic pathologist Dr. Kalialah Persaud today testified that elderly Manchester couple Richard and Julia Lyn died from lineal strangulation.



The doctor said when he saw the bodies at the Martin Hill Dump in Manchester on December 30, 2006, the hands were tied from behind with ropes and a telephone cord.



He said the cloth and rope were also tied around the necks which resulted in the strangulation of the couple.



Dr Persaud says Julia Lyn had broken bones to the neck.



Dr Persaud was testifying at the murder trial of Lennox Swaby and Calvin Powell, of Hopeton district, Manchester.



The trial began last week Monday before Senior Puisne Judge Marva McIntosh and a 12-member jury in the Home Circuit Court.



The Crown is alleging that the couple was murdered between December 9 and 10, 2006 at their home in Mandeville, Manchester during a robbery.



Appliances, motorvehicles and other items were removed from the house .



The Lyns were also robbed of their debit card which was subsequently alleged used by both accused in an attempt to get money from an automated teller machine.



Evidence has been given that on December 10, 2006 the accused Swaby was was seen driving a Toyota Rav4 jeep,which belonged to the couple.



The Crown is alleging that Powell took the police to the dump where the bodies were found.