A FORENSIC pathologist has given evidence at the trial of a Newnham man accused of murdering his mother.
William John Christopher McFardzean Foran, 53, has pleaded not guilty to murder in the Supreme Court in Launceston.
Donald Ritchie carried out the autopsy of Margaret Foran, 77, following her death in April last year.
Dr Ritchie told the court the evidence indicated that Mrs Foran had died as a result of strangulation and smothering.
Strangulation occurred when the neck was compressed while smothering was the blocking of the airwaves, he said.
Police who attended the scene gave evidence yesterday, as did volunteer workers from Colony 47, a social support service that Mr Foran used.
Mr Foran's interview with police following his arrest was also played to the court.
On Monday the court heard that Mr Foran had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and according to one psychiatrist had acute psychosis when he allegedly murdered his mother.
Defence counsel Tamara Jago is expected to call Melbourne-based forensic psychiatrist Lester Walton as a witness today or tomorrow.