Gunshot wound to abdomen was cause of death for Johnny Renfro

(Demetrius Coleman)

The 5th witness in the Demetrius Coleman trial was forensic pathologist, Dr. Mark Super. He testified that the cause of death for Johnny Renfro was gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Bullet struck Renfro's lower abdomen," little to the right of midline, perforated his skin", perforated parts of small bowel and struck Renfro's tailbone.

Jurors saw close up photos of the wounds. His testimony was brief.

The 6th witness was DOJ expert Dale Cloutier who examined the green Honda, testified about "an apparent bullet strike." Said he couldn't say that the damage was caused by a bullet but a projectile.

According to bullet trajectory, Mr. Cloutier said, if seated in the driver's seat, the bullet would be fired from the right of the driver's seat.He did not see "any apparent evidence that would be blood." While DNA swabs were taken, Mr. Cloutier did not send the swabs for analysis "because it did not have any merit. " Mr. Cloutier said that DNA would only be helpful if it identified someone not supposed to be in the car. 

Mr. Cloutier's decision not to sendtg3 DNA swabs from the driver and passenger side was based on information given him by the Rio Dell police. Police Chief Jeff Conner told him had someone specific in mind for the crime, he told Ms. Andrea Sullivan. 

Agaon, Rio Dell PD chose to only  pursue Coleman as a suspect. Ms. Sullivan asked Mr. Cloutier about the national CODIS database and why the DNA was not sent there. Mr. Cloutier said there is specific criteria.

Both Dr. Super and Mr. Cloutier are excellent witnesses. Readers are familiar with their background from several cases. However, no one is disputing that Renfro died; the People need to prove it was Coleman who is the shooter. 

Stevanie Smith testified. She was the last person to talk to Renfro. She said she was home cooking dinner. Renfro called to say "he was going to pay me gas money he borrowed or borrow more."

She did not answer and was evasive when asked how Renfro supported himself. Smith learned if Renfro's death next day from the news.

Officer who was next witness was unavailable since he was in traffic court so court took an early lunch at 11:15 with the afternoon session resuming at 1 p.m.

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