OBERLIN — Forensic pathologist Dr. Terry Welke testified Tuesday that Rachel Vercher had multiple injuries to her body, with four of the injuries described as potentially fatal, and a defensive wound to the hand.

Welke testified in the second-degree murder trial of Joseph Eric Vercher, 46, of Oberlin, who is accused of fatally stabbing his estranged wife, Rachel Denise Lambert Vercher, 34, in June 2013.

The trial continues at 9 a.m. today in 33rd Judicial District Court.

Welke said Rachel Vercher’s body had a lot of bruises and numerous cuts on various parts of the body, including the head, neck, chest and back. He described one of the wounds as a 5-inch cut just above the voice box, going over the wind pipe.

The carotid artery on the left side of her neck was cut, causing her to eventually lose blood to the brain, he said. Many of the injuries were consistent to those caused by a serrated object and occurred prior to her death, he said.

He noted bruises on the forehead caused by a blunt-force injury and superficial scrapes near the nose and deep cuts in the back of the neck. Her breasts had stab wounds and cuts, resulting in injuries to the heart and lungs, he said.

A wound on the right hand was consistent with a defensive wound, and injuries on the forearm were similar to those caused by being dragged, he said. Superficial injuries and scratches were noted on the left arm and right leg.

Although many of the wounds were deep gashes, Welke said none of the injuries would have caused instantaneous death. “I think this young lady lived a few minutes and was able to function,” he said. He listed her manner of death as a homicide.

Toxicology tests found a “broken-down product of cocaine” indicating that Rachel Vercher had cocaine in her system some time during the day, he said. A high level of alcohol — three times the legal limit — and blood pressure medicine were also detected in her system, Welke said.

Monica Quaal, a forensic DNA analyst for the Southwest Louisiana Crime Lab, testified that blood stains found on one of the defendant’s flip-flops and a rear pocket of his cargo shorts matched those of the victim.

Blood found near the handle of the larger of two knives prosecutors contend Vercher used to kill his wife also tested positive for her blood. No “physical” blood was found on the smaller knife, which could have been wiped clean, she said.

Stains on the defendant’s T-shirt tested positive for blood, but Quaal said she was unable to run a DNA profile because the spots were too small.

After providing evidence on the brutality of the murder, the prosecution then focused on disputing Vercher’s assertion that the couple had been fighting all night and that he was so grief-stricken by her death that he immediately turned himself in to police.

Video surveillance from two convenience stores show the couple buying beer and cigarettes at 7:33 p.m. and 9:20 p.m. June 28. The videos later show Vercher returning to one of the stores alone at 12:29 a.m. June 29 to get money from an ATM.

In an audiotaped interview with detective Voorhies Leger after his arrest, Vercher told Leger he stopped at the convenience store and two residences after dragging Rachel Vercher’s body through an overgrown area off Carrier Road.

“I didn’t want somebody driving by and seeing her there,” Vercher is heard telling Leger. “I shouldn’t have. I should have stopped there and called (authorities).”

He is later heard telling Leger, “I couldn’t leave her out there like that.” Vercher told Leger he went to the ATM to get money because he owed someone money for crack.

Vercher turned himself in to the Sheriff’s Office at 1:28 a.m. June 29, an hour after he was seen alone at the convenience store.

Vercher also told Leger that he had taken Rachel Vercher’s wedding ring and thrown her cellphone and purse in a field about a quarter of a mile from the crime scene, according to Leger’s testimony. The items were later recovered by police and the victim’s mother.(MGNonline)