Pathologist testifies neck compression as cause of death of mother at manslaughter trial

The London court house, as seen on Nov. 4, 2024. (Bailey Shakyaver/CTV News London)

Dr. Rebekah Jacques, a forensic pathologist at the London Health Sciences Centre, testified that she examined 59-year-old Elzbieta Cabla in the hours after her body was removed from her townhouse on Wilkins Street on July 7, 2021.

Testifying at the manslaughter trial of Cabala’s daughter Barbara, the pathologist showed the jury a number of slides and photos highlighting the injuries.

“I observed a number of abrasions and bruises on part of her chin and neck,” Dr. Jacques said. “There’s a lot of injuries that were on the neck...there were blunt force injuries.”

She concluded, “I put the cause of death as external neck compression.”

Barbara Cabala, 43, who had moved in to live with her mother, was eventually charged with manslaughter in the case and has pleaded not guilty.

The jury in this case has heard that the mother and daughter had a tumultuous relationship and that they never got along.

While testifying, Dr. Jacques told the jury that the victim was found to have a total of 55 abrasions and bruises on her body.

The trial, which is slated to last two weeks, resumes on Wednesday.