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Cut-up salesman 'fatally stabbed' Cut-up salesman 'fatally stabbed'
(about 2 hours later)
A salesman whose body parts were dumped across two counties was killed by a stab wound to the chest, a jury heard.A salesman whose body parts were dumped across two counties was killed by a stab wound to the chest, a jury heard.
Pieces of Jeffrey Howe's body were found in Hertfordshire and Leicestershire last March and April.Pieces of Jeffrey Howe's body were found in Hertfordshire and Leicestershire last March and April.
Stephen Marshall, 38, of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, and Sarah Bush, 21, of Southgate, London, deny murdering 49-year-old Mr Howe last March.Stephen Marshall, 38, of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, and Sarah Bush, 21, of Southgate, London, deny murdering 49-year-old Mr Howe last March.
Home Office pathologist Simon Poole told St Albans Crown Court his limbs were "skilfully and cleanly" removed. Home Office pathologist Simon Poole told St Albans Crown Court his limbs were "skilfully" and "cleanly" removed.
Giving evidence, Mr Poole said kitchen salesman Mr Howe was stabbed in the back.Giving evidence, Mr Poole said kitchen salesman Mr Howe was stabbed in the back.
Slow deathSlow death
He would probably have taken a while to die after being stabbed, Mr Poole said.He would probably have taken a while to die after being stabbed, Mr Poole said.
"I wouldn't anticipate death would have been instantaneous," he said."I wouldn't anticipate death would have been instantaneous," he said.
Stuart Trimmer QC, prosecuting, asked the pathologist about his examination of a left leg found by a member of the public in Cottered, north Hertfordshire last March.Stuart Trimmer QC, prosecuting, asked the pathologist about his examination of a left leg found by a member of the public in Cottered, north Hertfordshire last March.
Mr Poole said: "It appeared to have been done very skilfully. It was detached very cleanly."Mr Poole said: "It appeared to have been done very skilfully. It was detached very cleanly."
The pathologist told the jury the limb had been separated from the body at the hip area.The pathologist told the jury the limb had been separated from the body at the hip area.
Even if performed skilfully there would still be a large amount of blood loss Simon PooleHome Office pathologist
He said he later examined a left forearm that had been found at Wheathampstead in Hertfordshire. The hand was missing.He said he later examined a left forearm that had been found at Wheathampstead in Hertfordshire. The hand was missing.
Mr Poole said he found that the limb had been separated at the wrist joint and at the elbow joint.Mr Poole said he found that the limb had been separated at the wrist joint and at the elbow joint.
Scattered remains
Previously the jury was told Mr Howe was murdered on 8 or 9 March in his flat in Southgate, north London.Previously the jury was told Mr Howe was murdered on 8 or 9 March in his flat in Southgate, north London.
On Tuesday, Marshall admitted dismembering Mr Howe and disposing of his body parts. On Tuesday, Mr Marshall admitted dismembering Mr Howe and disposing of his body parts.
He also pleaded guilty to two counts of perverting the course of justice.He also pleaded guilty to two counts of perverting the course of justice.
The first involved giving false information about the whereabouts of Mr Howe when police were conducting a missing person investigation.The first involved giving false information about the whereabouts of Mr Howe when police were conducting a missing person investigation.
Surgical tools
Secondly, he admitted dismembering the victim's body and disposing of the parts in different places to impede the investigation.Secondly, he admitted dismembering the victim's body and disposing of the parts in different places to impede the investigation.
Ms Bush denies dismembering Mr Howe and disposing of his body parts.Ms Bush denies dismembering Mr Howe and disposing of his body parts.
Mr Howe's remains were discovered by members of the public in various locations between 22 March and 11 April last year.Mr Howe's remains were discovered by members of the public in various locations between 22 March and 11 April last year.
The court heard that it would have taken at least 12 hours to cut the body up and would have been a messy process.
Mr Poole said: "Even if performed skilfully there would still be a large amount of blood loss."
Surgical tools would have been needed, he added.
Mr Howe's torso, which was found in a green suitcase in a drainage ditch at Colliers End, Hertfordshire, on 11 April last year, bore marks that suggested an animal or insects had reached it, he said.
Other marks on the torso suggested it had started to decompose, he added.
The trial continues.The trial continues.