JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A medical examiner who conducted the autopsy on an 8-year-old Florida girl who was abducted, raped and murdered became emotional and had to interrupt her testimony at the trial of the man accused of the crime.
Jacksonville Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Valerie Rao testified that Cherish Perrywinkle sustained severe injuries from being strangled and raped. Viewing photographs of her battered body in court on Tuesday, she became teary and unable to continue.
Donald Smith, 61, is charged with kidnapping, raping and murdering the girl, and faces a possible death sentence if convicted.
Smith allegedly lured her family to Walmart in 2013 with promises to buy food and clothing, then left with the girl. Security video showed her skipping out the door behind him.
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