Johannesburg - Injuries suffered by a teenage girl who died after being set alight in an apparent satanic ritual were enough to kill her, a pathologist testified on Thursday.
“The severity of the girls' injuries... the evidence of poison found in her was more than enough to kill her,” Dr Pat Klepp told the High Court sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court.
Klepp was testifying in the trial of three men and a teenaged girl accused of setting Kirsty Theologo and her friend alight.
Lindon Wagner, Robin Harwood, Harvey Isha, and Courtney Daniels pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder, and assault with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm.
In October 2011, Theologo was doused with petrol and set alight on a hill behind the Linmeyer swimming pool, south of Johannesburg.
She died a week later in Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Her friend, who was also burnt, survived.
Klepp said samples of Theologo's liver, stomach, kidney, and blood were taken. The toxicology results were however not back yet and the soonest they would be returned was in 10 years because the goverment's laboratory was in such disarray.
Klepp said although Theologo was anaemic, a condition which could affect her heart, the organ was healthy.
Earlier, the girl who survived the attack told the court they drank alcohol when they arrived at the hill. The girl testified that what they were served on the hill did not taste like alcohol.
“I took a sip and it tasted funny and I spat it out,” she said.
After Theologo drank hers, she vomited.
The trial continues. - Sapa