BANGOR, Maine — The medical examiner who performed the autopsy on the Ellsworth woman who died Christmas Day 2013 testified Thursday that Hilary Saenz died of blunt force trauma to the head and body.
Dr. Margaret Greenwald, the retired chief medical examiner for Maine, said the 29-year-old woman suffered a brain hemorrhage. She said the mother of two had bruises on her forehead and both sides of her head. Greenwald testified it was impossible to tell which blow to the head that caused the bruises that resulted in the brain bleed. She said that the bruises could have been caused by a fist. Greenwald also said the subdural hematoma could have been caused by a fall in which she struck her head.
Christopher Saenz, 32 , allegedly beat Hilary Saenz, 29, to death in their Central Street apartment while their two children, then 12 and 8 years old, were in the home.
He is charged with intentional or knowing murder and, in the alternative, depraved indifference murder in the death of his wife. Christopher Saenz has pleaded not guilty.
In interviews with police played Wednesday, Saenz admitted hitting his wife on Dec. 22, 2013, but consistently denied striking her on Christmas Day. He said she suddenly fell forward and had a seizure.
Saenz has been held without bail since his arrest on Dec. 27, 2013.
Greenwald testified Thursday morning on the fourth day of Saenz’s jury-waived murder trial before Superior Court Justice Ann Murray at the Penobscot Judicial Center.
Assistant Attorney General Deb Cashman, who is prosecuting the case, said Monday that Hilary Saenz had 50 bruises on her body but died of bleeding in her brain. The prosecutor had Greenwald describe the size and shape of many of the bruises.
The medical examiner said that by testing some of the bruised tissue, she could determine its approximate age. Many were between hours and days old, Greenwald said. Others appeared to have been inflicted shortly before her death.
Greenwald told the judge that the toxicology report showed Saenz had caffeine but no other drugs in her system at the time of her death.
Dr. Elizabeth Bundock, the deputy medical examiner for Vermont with expertise in head injuries, said that because there was blood in the spinal fluid in the brain, Saenz could have been experiencing bleeding there for up to two days before she died.
Bundock also said that the woman did not suffer from a seizure disorder but may have suffered seizures in the past as a result of a head injury in a car accident. She testified that the victim did have a seizure at the time of her death, but that is not unusual.
Dr. David Fowler, the chief medical examiner for Maryland, is expected to be called Friday by defense attorneys Jeffrey Toothaker and Robert Van Horn, both of Ellsworth, to counter some of Greenwald’s findings.
Toothaker said Monday in his opening statement that Saenz died of a brain hemorrhage that was a result of lingering, undiagnosed problems from a head injury suffered in a 2003 car accident.
The trial is scheduled conclude late next week.
Murray is expected to issue a written verdict this summer.
If convicted on murder, Christopher Saenz faces between 25 years and life in prison.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TRS 800-787-3224. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.