The medical examiner who first observed Kathleen Peterson's body testified today at the murder trial of Peterson's husband. Michael Peterson is charged with killing his wife in December 2001. Prosecutors say he beat his wife to death and tried to make it look like an accident. Peterson denies that. Doctor Kenneth Shell testified he initially believed Kathleen Peterson died in an accident. Now he believes she was fatally beaten. He says he changed his initial opinion of her cause of death once he was able to study her condition more carefully. Snell says he reached his initial opinion from simply observing the scene. He says he changed his mind after he watched some of the formal autopsy. Snell says she was beaten to death, citing bruises to her face and the backs of her arms and hands. Defense lawyer David Rudolf pointed out discrepancies in Snell's testimony and in the notes from his examination of the body. Snell says the differences reflected the changes in his opinion.
Medical Examiner Says He Now Believes Kathleen Peterson Was Beaten
Doctor Kenneth Shell testified he initially believed Kathleen Peterson died in an accident.
