Gardea Trial: Forensic testimony reveals abrasions on victim’s body

The murder trial of the man accused of gunning down a Yuma man he allegedly knew for a few weeks continued Tuesday with forensic testimony.

Dr. David Winston, who is a forensic pathologist based in Tucson for 22 years took the stand.

Dr. Winston is currently employed in the Pima County Medical Examiner’s office, and talked about his experience in forensics and his prior education.

State prosecutors presented photos of the autopsy the victim, Edward Rowland’s body during examination.

Defense attorneys objected to several of the photos and a bench conference was issued.

The objections were sustained and prosecution proceeded with publishing the pictures for the jury to view.

Jurors were shown pictures of various angles of Rowland’s body, including some of which included abrasions that Dr. Winston said were ” recent ” .

Dr. Winston mentioned that if a gun is close enough to skin contact, they will cause abrasions due to stippling’s and gunpowder that come into skin contact.

Prosecutors hope the jury will find Gardea guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated assault.

In a previous appearance, the State said Gardea arrived at Rowland’s apartment at the Twin Palms with the intention of killing Rowland. They explained Gardea parked near ” dark hill ” and ” ramped himself up ” by smoking meth.

According to the state, Gardea kicked down Rowland’s front door and allegedly shot him in the chest.

The state said while walking to Rowland’s door, Gardea motioned to a second victim to not make noise as he walked up in all black with a bandana over his face.

Rowland died hours later at the hospital, but he didn’t go down without a fight.

Prosecutors detailed a physical fight between Gardea and Rowland after Rowland was shot. They said Gardea’s bandana fell off and lost control of the gun he allegedly shot Rowland with.

David Shapiro the defense attorney, said there is no question that Gardea pulled the trigger of the 9-millimeter gun. But said that days before the murder, Rowland threatened to kill Gardea .

He said Gardea was only looking to make peace.

The initial falling out between the two men allegedly came after Gardea met with Rowland a month before his death to sell him tools, to repay a woman he owed money to, according to Shapiro.

The situation took a turn when Gardea was waiting at Rowland’s apartment and Rowland’s father showed up and questioned Gardea’s presence.

Gardea’s defense stated that during the disagreement, Rowland punched Gardea .

Rowland’s father then walked Gardea to his car and allegedly punched him stealing items from his wallet, the car title, and the keys to his car.

KYMA