SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – The defense called coroner Dr. Donoghue back to the witness stand as proceedings began Thursday. Dr Donoghue previously gave evidence on Wednesday at the trial of Charles Teeple over the 2019 attack and murder of Bruce Helmly.
The defense recalled Dr. Donoghue to question the relevance of the details seen in Helmley’s autopsy report.
“You’re going to hate me for this,” Tipple allegedly said before punching Helmley, according to the autopsy report. The description also states that “the suspect was not legally allowed to enter the bar due to his minor status, but he was able to enter the bar using his friend’s ID card.”
Dr. Donoghue said all of this was relevant to his job of deciphering the manner of death, which helped him decide between homicide and accident.
The doctor said he considered all the facts of the autopsy report when deciding on the manner of death.
Prosecutors ask doctor to serve as expert witness in Tipper trial
The defense further asked Dr. Donoghue whether the brain hemorrhage was caused by trauma from Tipple’s punch or by a stroke Helmley suffered before the punch.
Dr. Donoghue said it was very rare for a stroke to cause a brain bleed because Helmley took blood thinners. Dr. Donoghue still maintains that the punch caused Helmley’s death from a brain haemorrhage.
The defense also showed a doctor’s medical notes saying the brain hemorrhage may have been caused by a stroke.
Prosecutors then asked Dr. Donoghue to confirm Helmley’s diagnosis from the time he was hospitalized until his death. The “trauma” Dr. Donoghue referred to was Tipper’s punch.
This is an ongoing story. Stay tuned to WSAV for more information as new details from the trial are released.
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