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Medical examiner, forensic biologist testify during Waco murder trial
Two employees of the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas testified Wednesday afternoon during the murder trial of Eric Williams, charged in the 2007 slaying of his girlfriend, Erica Rivera. The trial is being held in Waco’s 170th State District Court, presided over by Judge Jim Meyer.
Dr. Keith Pinckard, a medical examiner with the institute, performed an autopsy on Rivera’s body. The autopsy was ordered by a McLennan County justice of the peace on May 9, 2007.
Pinckard said that because Rivera’s body was affected by rain, it was “unrecognizable.” He said the extent of the decomposition was so severe that he wasn’t able to determine the exact cause of her death. But Pinckard did say he believes Rivera died as the result of homicidal violence.
Pinckard further testified that because of the state of the body, he was unable to determine the time or date of Rivera’s death.
Christi Wells, a forensic biologist with the institute, testified that she ran tests on Rivera’s body to determine if there was evidence that Rivera was sexually assaulted. She sent the results of her findings to the Texas Department of Public Safety crime lab. Testimony on the DPS lab’s findings is expected later in the trial.
Testimony continues this afternoon.
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