Kitchener murder trial: Killer could have been cut first, bloodstain expert says
KITCHENER - An expert in the analysis of bloodstain patterns says he can't rule out the possibility that Ager Hasan was cut before Melinda Vasilije.
The trial last week heard that Hasan claimed self-defence in messages to police after he fatally stabbed Vasilije, his ex-girlfriend.
The Hamilton man, now 30, is charged with second-degree murder. Vasilije, 22, died on April 28, 2017, in her apartment on Country Hill Drive near Block Line Road in Kitchener. The Crown rejected Hasan's guilty plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Vasilije was stabbed 47 times. Her blood was found in many areas of the apartment.
Male blood was found on two knives inside. Tests could not determine if it was Hasan's blood.
Det. Rob Hofstetter, a bloodstain expert with Peel Regional Police, analyzed bloodstain patterns in Vasilije's apartment.
Cross-examined Monday by defence lawyer Scott Reid, Hofstetter agreed he can't rule out the possibility that the male blood was shed first.
Reid asked Hofstetter to assume the blood on the knives was Hasan's.
Is it possible that Mr. Hasan was the first person to be cut?" Reid said.
Hofstetter said it's possible.
It's possible that Mr. Hasan was cut in the kitchen but didn't bleed enough for any of his bloodstains to get onto the floor or the counter or anywhere like that," Reid said. Fair?"
Hofstetter said it's possible.
It's possible that after Ms. Vasilije first cut Mr. Hasan, he responded in kind by grabbing a knife and inflicting a wound on her in the kitchen," Reid said.
Hofstetter said it's in the realm of possibilities"
Court last week saw messages between Hasan and a police officer after the killing.
Detective I did not attack her first. She came at me with a knife after I reveled (sic) to her what I did in the past," Hasan told a Waterloo Regional Police detective on the WhatsApp social media platform a few hours after Vasilije died.
Things were good, I was in her room for hour (sic) just cuddling and kissing. Even ask her roommate, when I came back to get my Keychain I told her the truth and it got physical. She then went for the knife.
My hands got cut trying to protect myself. I then u (sic) had to do something back and it got out of hand."
The trial continues Tuesday.
With files from Jeff Outhit
Gordon Paul is a Waterloo Region-based reporter focusing on crime for The Record. Reach him via email: gpaul@therecord.com