Jurors in the Cheryl McCafferty murder trial on Wednesday heard from the nurse who examined the Fort Thomas woman after she was arrested and charged with killing her husband in June of 2007.
A day after Cheryl McCafferty testified herself, her attorneys continued their defense by calling up additional witnesses, including the emergency room nurse who treated her.
St. Luke Hospital Emergency Room Nurse Tricia Tyson said she saw bruises on Cheryl's right temple and swelling in the middle of her forehead and above her lip. Tyson specializes in rape and domestic violence cases but she said she could not say with certainty that Cheryl McCafferty's wounds came from domestic abuse.
Tyson's comments came before a packed courtroom of spectators, without a single vacant seat in the gallery.
McCafferty said she was abused by her husband, Robert, and wanted to stop him before he could potentially hurt her or their two children.
Jurors also heard from Dr. George Nichols, a forensic pathologist.
Defense attorney Frank Mungo asked him if it's possible to tell if a victim was awake or asleep at the time of being shot.
Nichols responded it depends if there is gun powder on the victim's eyes.
The prosecution objected and jurors never got an answer as it related to Robert McCafferty.
Defense expert Ross Gardner was called to the stand next.
He is a consultant in blood stain pattern analysis.
According to Gardner, Robert McCafferty's head could have been at least four inches off his pillow at the time he was struck with a bullet.
The defense alleges Cheryl shot her husband in self-defense.
The prosecution's expert witness testified McCafferty was lying down when he was shot.
Testimony resumes Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m.
Stay with WCPO.com, KyPost.com and 9News for the latest on the trial.
