KOTA KINABALU: Queen Elizabeth Hospital forensic pathologist Dr Jessie Hiu says the Coroner’s Court has to decide on the true nature of Zara Qairina Mahathir’s death, including whether it was accidental or self-inflicted.
On the second day of Dr Hiu’s testimony, counsel Datuk Ram Singh had asked if there was a possibility that Zara Qairina had jumped off the third floor of her hostel.
“That is for the Coroner’s Court to decide,” she said
Ram was referring to Dr Hiu’s earlier testimony, where she had stated Zara Qairina’s fall was not accidental nor was pushed.
“My question is if it is not by accident and not pushed, is there a possibility that she jumped off on her own accord?” asked Ram.
“She was standing on the floor next to the railing, not on top of the railing as shown in the photographs,” Dr Hiu responded, referring to photographs of a reconstruction of the incident during a site visit on Aug 2, provided during her witness testimony.
Ram pushed further and asked: “What is the definition to use in such a situation that the deceased did it as a suicide?”
“That is for the court to decide,” Dr Hiu replied again.
Dr Hiu provided testimony before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan.
Earlier, Dr Hiu had used a mannequin to explain to the court the extent of the injuries found on Zara Qairina’s body.
The inquest will resume on Sept 8.
