The dead have entered Brighton, which is horrifying…
An expert told jurors that it was “exceedingly unlikely” that fleeing mother Constance Marten’s newborn baby died from the cold.
Marten, 36, and her partner Mark Gordon, 49, were living “off grid” in a tent on the South Downs when their daughter Victoria died, the Old Bailey has heard.
Marten testified that the kid died when she fell asleep while keeping her under her jacket in the tent on Monday, January 9, last year.
Victoria’s poorly decomposed body was discovered inside a Lidl “bag for life” on an allotment shed in Brighton on Wednesday, March 1, 2017.
The cause of her death has yet to be determined.
Following Marten’s report, Peter Fleming, an infant health expert, considered the circumstances surrounding the baby’s death.
Giving evidence yesterday (Tuesday, March 26), the defence witness told jurors: “I have seen no evidence of hypothermia as a cause of death, but the description of how the baby was cared for makes hypothermia exceedingly unlikely.”
He also stated that the length of Victoria’s feet was “most compatible” with death at the age of two to three weeks.
During cross-examination, prosecutor Tom Little questioned Professor Fleming if his opinion would alter if he found Marten had lied to him about Victoria’s death.
Professor Fleming stated that Marten’s description was “extraordinarily consistent,” adding, “My assumption is she is telling the truth unless there is evidence to the contrary.”
Mr Little asked, “Has it occurred to you that she might be responsible for her baby’s death?
Professor Fleming responded, “Of course I have, but I have seen no evidence of that.”
The prosecutor stated that the witness had not spoken with Gordon or seen CCTV evidence of how the pair treated Victoria before leaving to reside in a tent.
He had also not been there for Marten’s entire testimony in court, during which she stated nothing about Victoria’s hands and feet being warm, he claimed.
Mr Little continued, “Unlike a criminal trial, you do not challenge what you are told.”
Professor Fleming stated that it would be “inappropriate” to do so.
Mr Little stated, “You relied on what she told you about the clothing Victoria was wearing.” Would it affect your opinion if she lied about those matters?
Professor Fleming stated that a baby feeding properly was not indicative of hypothermia.
Mr. Little went on to say: “You haven’t taken into account the fact that previously she has lied to healthcare professionals.”
