Clifford Comerford killed when left pulmonary artery penetrated, testifies chief medical examiner

Newfoundland's chief medical examiner testified Monday that either one of two stab wounds to the left side of Clifford Comerford'schest could have been the fatal wound.

Dr. Simon Avis took the stand Monday morning at Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court for the second-degree murder trial of Raymond Stacey.

Avis, who performed the autopsy on Comerford two days after the man died, said Comerford's left pulmonary artery was penetrated, causing his death.

Avis's testimony discussed the severity of the six stab wounds suffered by Comerford, some of which appeared to be defensive wounds. Avis said he has no way of knowing the order of the wounds.

The medical examiner also testified abouta toxicology report done on Comerford. Avis said the victimhada small amount of cannabis and oxycodone in his system. There were no other drugs or alcohol found.

RNC Sgt. Corinne James also took the stand Monday at Stacey's trial.

She told the court there were no injuries on four of the men that were in the van she later photographed as part of the investigation.

However, James said Stacey had several marks, including a scratch mark near one of his eyes, on his face and chest, and other injuries to his lower back, knee and shin.

Stacey, 25, is accused of stabbing co-workerComerford, 41, to death in a van in Mount Pearl that was taking them to workat the Country Ribbon chicken facility near Paddy's Pond in January 2015.

The trial resumes Tuesday.