Baby Victoria died from cold, Constance Marten trial told despite being exceedingly unlikely

An expert witness testified in the trial of Constance Marten, a fugitive mother charged in connection with the death of her newborn baby Victoria last year. Marten claimed that Victoria died when she fell asleep while holding her under her jacket in a tent. However, the cause of Victoria’s death remains unascertained. The expert, Professor Peter Fleming, stated that based on Marten’s account, hypothermia was unlikely as a cause of death. He also noted that Victoria’s feet were most compatible with being two to three weeks old at the time of death.

During cross-examination, the prosecutor questioned the expert on Marten’s credibility, asking if his opinion would change if she had lied about Victoria’s death. The expert maintained that he had seen no evidence to suggest Marten was not telling the truth. The prosecutor also pointed out that the expert had not spoken to Marten’s partner, Mark Gordon, or seen CCTV footage of how the couple treated Victoria before going off the grid to live in a tent. Despite this, the expert stood by his assessment based on Marten’s account.

The prosecutor challenged the expert on his belief that Marten had bought warm clothing for Victoria before they left London for the south coast. It was revealed that there were no items of clothing bought for Victoria before their departure. The prosecutor also questioned the safety of having a baby sleep face down on an exhausted mother under her coat in a tent. The expert stated that while it was not desirable, he had no evidence to suggest it was dangerous in this particular case.

The trial has also revealed that Marten and Gordon were on the run from authorities in an attempt to keep Victoria, after their four other children were taken into care. They were eventually arrested in Brighton, days before Victoria’s body was found in a Lidl bag on an allotment shed. The couple is charged with manslaughter by gross negligence, perverting the course of justice, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty, and causing or allowing the death of a child. The trial at the Old Bailey has been adjourned until April 8, with Marten and Gordon maintaining their innocence.

Overall, the testimony of the expert witness shed light on the circumstances surrounding Victoria’s death and the actions of Marten and Gordon. Despite challenges to Marten’s credibility and questions about their living conditions in the tent, the expert maintained that there was no evidence to suggest foul play in Victoria’s death. The trial continues to uncover more details about the tragic case and the legal implications for the defendants.