CLOSING ADDRESS FOR JURY

THE Crown and defence barristers in the trial of the man accused of killing his infant son will present their closing addresses today.

This marks the end of four weeks of evidence.

Nicholas Aaron Baxter, 37, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his six- week- old son Matthew.

Baxter allegedly shook or struck Matthew on November 3, 2011 which caused brain bleeding and swelling and retinal haemorrhages.

Nearly 50 people have already taken the stand in the trial, which started on October 16.

People who have given evidence in the murder trial include the accused, his wife Tenae Baxter, his mother- inlaw, his parents, his sister- in- law, paediatricians, doctors, paramedics, nurses, radiologists and biomedical scientists.

Supreme Court Justice David North told the jury that the defence and the Crown prosecutor’s closing addresses might be lengthy.

Justice North told the jury they need not fear they would forget rel- evant parts of the evidence given during the past month.

“If you need to be reminded of any particular passages we can always do that at some stage if you need. Don’t fear about that,” he said.

Justice North told the jury that counsel would remind them about the evidence as well.

The last witness to take the stand, for the defence, Dr David Ayoub, an American radiologist, told the court via audiovisual that he had examined numerous X- rays of Matthew taken before and after the baby had died. The jury was shown close- up X- rays of Matthew’s rib cage, pelvis and leg.

Illinois- based Dr Ayoub said he believed the baby had a pronounced case of rickets.

When asked by Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane if part of his interest was “you identifying bone disorders that mimic child abuse that is the position you are coming from isn’t it”, Dr Ayoub replied: “That is my area of interest, yes.”

The court heard Dr Ayoub’s other “areas of interests” included the link between child vaccinations and autism. The trial continues.