A pathologist told a murder trial 28-year-old died from blunt force injury to his head.
Dr Sharon Melmore was giving evidence at the at the trial of Kyle McAuley, 30, who denies murdering his friend 28-year-old Kevin McCluskley at flat 2/2, 17 Nelson Street, Greenock , on March 24.
He claims he acted in self defence after Mr McCluskey came at him with a knife .
Dr Melmore said that Kevin McCluskey who was 6ft and 14stone 8 lbs suffered at least five blows to his head and face and added: “There could have been significantly more.”
Prosecutor Greg Farrell said: “There is a minimum of five areas of impact, however it could be significantly more than five blows,” and Dr Melmore replied: “Yes.”
She added: “Some may have been caused by kicks or blows. In this case there was a dumbbell and we have determined, although this is not definitive, that could have caused at least some of the injuries.”
The High Court in Glasgow heard that Mr McCluskey suffered fractures to his skull, cheekbones, nose and jaw and bruising to the brain.
Dr Melmore said that Mr McCluskey had injuries to his hands which could have been caused by him punching or could be defensive injuries.
She told the jury that cocaine intoxication was listed as a secondary cause of death and added: “It is a potential contributing cause of death. It is not possible to exclude it as a contributory factor.”
Mr Farrell said “If you take cocaine it can kill you because it can interfere with your heart rhythm,”
Dr Melmore replied: “Yes.”
Toxicology reports showed that Mr McCluskey had taken alcohol and cocaine prior to his death.
Dr Melmore was asked if Mr McCluskey could have survived his injuries and replied: “I don't see living patients any more, but it was perhaps survivable.”
The trial before judge Lord Mulholland continues.
