Defense Raises Questions About Credibility Of Prosecution Witness

Defense attorney David Rudolf questioned the credentials of a prosecution witness in day 52 of the Mike Peterson trial.

Shaibani used five live human beings as models to demonstrate his point. He said science proves Kathleen Peterson's injuries did not come from a fall.

However, with the jury out of the courtroom, defense attorney David Rudolf made it clear he plans to not only attack Shaibani's testimony, but Shaibani himself.

"It's our position that Dr. Shaibani has testified falsely about his credentials in a number of cases under oath," he said.

Rudolf suggested Shaibani may not have as many degrees as he claims. Rudolf told Judge Orlando Hudson he would raise the issue in front of the jury on cross-examination.

Earlier in the day, Dr. James McElhaney used autopsy pictures to show the 33 different bruises and cuts found on Kathleen Peterson's body. He believes Kathleen Peterson was hit one way or another 15 times.

McElhaney also testified the location, the direction and the number of cuts on her head point to a beating, not a fall.

The biomechanics expert disagreed with the defense theory that Kathleen Peterson fell and hit her head twice causing all the injuries. He said the speed and angle at which she would have to fall makes that scenario highly unlikely.

Shaibani is expected to continue his testimony Friday.

  • Reporter: Julia Lewis
  • Photographer: Don Ingle
  • Web Editor: Kamal Wallace


0 Comments


Golo

Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.

You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.

View Comments View Comments

Ask Anything
  1. Nicholas Sparks
    10 questions with Nicholas Sparks

    Author Nicholas Sparks answers your questions about battling writer's block and writing romantic story lines.

  2. John Paul Womble
    10 questions with John Paul Womble - The Alliance of AIDS Services

    John Paul Womble answers your questions about contracting AIDS and myths surrounding the disease.

  3. Cam Ward
    10 questions with Hurricanes' Goalie Cam Ward

    Cam Ward answers your questions about winning the Stanley Cup, superstitions on game days and smack talk on the ice.

Multimedia
  1. 49th Annual WRAL-TV Tower Lighting_01
    49th Annual WRAL-TV Tower Lighting

    WRAL-TV's tower has been changed into a 300-foot Christmas tree, with 2,805 colored lights and three stars on Monday, Dec. 1, 2008.

  2. APTOPIX ROMANIA WEATHER
    The week in photos

    A look at the top news, politics and sports stories of the week through the lenses of Associated Press photographers.

  3. APTOPIX Holiday Shopping
    Gallery: Black Friday shopping

    A look at shoppers across the country on Black Friday.

  4. 2008_American_Music_Awards_Arrivals
    The week in entertainment

    A look at the top entertainment stories this week through the lenses of Associated Press photographers.

  5. Apex vs.Wake Forest -Rolesville on November 28, 2008
    Apex vs. Wake Forest-Rolesville (November 28, 2008)

    Wake Forest-Rolesville beat Apex 35-7 in the third round of the NCHSAA 4-AA playoffs.