Courts / Dublin / Report

Difficult to estimate depth of Urantsetseg Tserendorj injury, pathologist tells trial

Date
2022-11-02

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The murder trial of a 16-year-old male, who cannot be named as he is a minor, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Urantsetseg Tserendorj but guilty to her manslaughter on 29 January 2021. He also pleaded guilty to producing a knife and attempting to rob Ms Tserendorj on 20 January 2021. The State did not accept the manslaughter plea, and the matter remains at the trial stage. Forensic pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers testified that she conducted the post-mortem on 3 February 2021. She identified a partially healed stab wound below the deceased's earlobe and confirmed that the internal carotid artery had been transected. Dr Okkers stated that the cause of death was global cerebral hypoxia due to the loss of blood supply to the brain. She explained that while a haemorrhage tract of 6cm was identified, it was difficult to estimate the full depth of the injury due to prior surgical intervention. She confirmed that no natural pathology could have caused the death and that a knife could have inflicted the wound. The jury viewed CCTV footage showing the accused approaching Ms Tserendorj on a walkway in the IFSC. The trial continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Difficult to estimate depth of Urantsetseg Tserendorj injury, pathologist tells trial. Charges or matters: the murder of Ms Tserendorj but guilty to her manslaughter on 29 January 2021; producing a knife and to attempting to rob Ms Tserendorj on 20 January 2021. Procedural stage: trial

When:

20 January 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
29 January 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
3 February 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
2022-11-02 Publication

Why: Dr Okkers explained that this artery branches into the external and internal carotid artery, with the external supplying the blood to the scalp and face, and the internal supplying the blood to the right side of the brain. CNI source report

Case subjects

Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers

Defendant

Charges: the murder of Ms Tserendorj but guilty to her manslaughter on 29 January 2021; producing a knife and to attempting to rob Ms Tserendorj on 20 January 2021 (Alleged Or Contested)

Urantsetseg Tserendorj

Defendant

Charges: the murder of Ms Tserendorj but guilty to her manslaughter on 29 January 2021; producing a knife and to attempting to rob Ms Tserendorj on 20 January 2021 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty