Government forensic pathologist Dr Kadiyala Persaud testified yesterday that elderly Manchester couple Richard and Julia Lyn died from lineal strangulation.

The doctor said when he saw the bodies at the Martin Hill Dump, Manchester, on December 30, 2006, the hands were tied from behind with ropes and telephone cord.

He said that pieces of cloth and rope were also tied around the necks, which resulted in the strangulation of the couple. Dr Persaud said that Julia Lyn had broken bones in the neck.

Dr Persaud was testifying at the murder trial of Lennox Swaby and Calvin Powell of Hopeton district, Manchester.

The trial began last week Monday before Senior Puisne Judge Marva McIntosh and a 12-member jury in the Home Circuit Court.

Murdered during robbery

The Crown is alleging that the couple were murdered between December 9 and 10, 2006, at their home in Mandeville, Manchester, during a robbery.

Appliances, motor vehicles and other items were removed from the house. The couple were also robbed of their debit card which was subsequently alleged to have been used by both accused in an attempt to get money from an automated teller machine.

Evidence has been given that on December 10, 2006, the accused Swaby was was seen driving a Toyota Rav4 jeep which belonged to the couple.

The Crown is also alleging that Powell took the police to the dump where the bodies were found.