Takina Douglas died of a 5-inch-deep stab wound to her right chest, said Dr. Stephen Erickson, chief deputy medical examiner at the Arkansas Crime Lab.
Erickson was the last witness Wednesday at the first-degree murder trial of Shawn T. Rainer, 38, of Blytheville.
The prosecution, represented by Deputy Prosecutor Curtis Walker Jr., alleged that on June 14, 2009, Rainer stabbed Douglas, 27, -- his live-in girlfriend -- after the two of them argued.
Rainer has been free on $400,000 bond since his arrest on the charge.
Erickson testified that Douglas had several bruises and smaller wounds which he said were common if the victim had been involved in a struggle with a person armed with a knife. The wounds included small cuts and scratches to her arm, neck, lower back and left breast, in addition to the fatal stab wound to the chest. The fatal wound punctured Douglas' lung, causing her to bleed out quickly, the doctor testified. The wound was not likely caused by someone who tripped and fell on the knife, because of the angle of the wound, Erickson said.
Under questioning by Rainer's attorney, Bill Stanley of Jonesboro, Erickson admitted that although he did not think so, it was possible that someone could have fallen on a knife and caused a similar wound.
"It is my opinion that it didn't happen in a fall. But I can't say for certain because I wasn't there," the doctor said.
The first witness of the trial was Douglas herself, on a recording of the 911 call she made after she was stabbed. She pleaded with the 911 operator to send help.
Several police officers who responded to that 911 call then testified what they found at Douglas' and Rainer'shome at 1100 Willow St., Apt. 109. Sgt. Jeremy Ward of the Blytheville Police Department said he was first on the scene and was let into the apartment by Rainer, who was covered in blood. Douglas was sitting on the edge of the bed, covered in blood and coughing up blood, Ward said. He said a large knife was laying in the hallway of the apartment.
The officer described Rainer as being "very upset," pleading with the officer to help Douglas.
Det. Brice Hicks arrived after Ward, and testified that when he saw Douglas, he ran to his vehicle to gather emergency medical supplies in an effort to help her. He described the scene as "chaotic" and said Rainer was screaming and crying.
While Hicks was outside, Officer Vanessa Johnson Stewart arrived and went to help Douglas. Douglas was lying face down on the floor, supporting herself on her forearms. Rainer was behind her, holding Douglas up, Stewart testified.
Stewart also saw the large knife in the hallway. Stewart said that Rainer was very upset and distraught and was asking the officers to help Douglas.
Stewart said that Douglas was having trouble breathing, and she repeatedly asked Douglas if Shawn had stabbed her. Stewart said she told Douglas to blink if she couldn't speak.
"At no time did she blink?" asked Bill Stanley, Rainer's defense attorney.
"No sir," Stewart replied.
Det. Chris Lasley arrived and picked up the knife and gave it to Sgt. Ward to secure in his vehicle. Lasley testified that he didn't remember if he put on gloves before touching the knife. Then Lasley removed Rainer from the bedroom so Stewart could help Douglas.
Lasley also interviewed Rainer at the police department. Rainer told Lasley that he and Douglas were arguing and he was attempting to leave the apartment when Douglas confronted him with a knife. The two struggled and Douglas fell onto the knife, Rainer said, according to Lasley.
Rainer would not allow Lasley to tape record the statement, the officer said.
In addition to Erickson, Mary Simonson of the Crime Lab staff testified. Simonson is a DNA analyst at the crime lab. She testified that blood found in the floor of the living room of the apartment was Douglas' and that a mixture of Douglas' and Rainer's blood was found on the knife, and on a bicycle in the apartment.
A jury of eight women and four men, with one male alternate, was seated Wednesday morning before court broke for lunch. Testimony continues today at 9:30 a.m., with more experts from the Arkansas Crime lab expected to testify.
If convicted of the charge, Rainer could receive a term of 10-40 years, or life, in prison. The state is not seeking the death penalty in the case.
dhilton@blythevillecourier.com