Williams Trial – Day 3: Autopsy Testimony

Here is Maureen’s report from Tuesday, July 30, 2013.  I will give a brief summary below for the faint of heart and/or the short of time.

Dr. Daniel Selove testified about the autopsy and explained how he arrived at the conclusion that Hana died of hypothermia and that malnutrition and H. Pylori contributed to her death.  She showed evidence of being switched before her death, but that did not contribute to her death.  The defense attorneys asked if it was possible that Hana had bulimia/anorexia and were told that there was no sign of that.  They then went on to discuss how bulimia/anorexia can be practiced secretly.  Maureen and I both consider this idea outrageous  considering the lack of privacy they were given in that house per Immanuel’s testimony.

Gay Knutson, from  Adoption Advocates International (who handled Hana’s case) testified about the adoption documents and how adoptions are handled.  Every adoptive family is required to submit a post adoptive report every year until the child turns 18.  The Williams had not submitted one since 2009.  Families are encouraged to call if they need help and there was no record of the Williams ever calling.

Then Yohannes Kidane, an instructional assistant with Seattle Public schools, (who is fluent in English, Amharic, and Tigrinya) testified as to the veracity of the translated documents and explained the Ethiopian calendar.  Maureen noted that the Defense was asking him about his early education while they did not question any of the other witnesses about their education.  Mr. Kidane is expected to return today.

Here is the article from the Skagit Valley Herald.