The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

MILLIONAIRE podiatrist Philip Vasyli died of a stab wound to the chest and his wife, Donna, denied having any involvement in his death when interviewed in police custody, a Supreme Court jury heard on Friday.

The statement of Corporal Carla Major revealed that on March 31, she collected a death certificate from the Rand Lab concerning Mr Vasyli's demise in which the "cause of death was classified as a stab wound to the chest".

Cpl Major's statement, read out on the seventh day of Mrs Vasyli's high-profile murder trial, said the 55-year-old widow was questioned twice and asked nearly four dozen questions concerning the discovery of 59-year-old Mr Vasyli's lifeless body in the couple's Old Fort Bay home on March 24.

Cpl Major said the accused was interviewed on March 27 in the presence of her lawyers where "some 34 questions were put to her but she denied any involvement in her husband's murder".

Lauren de Graaf, the Vasylis' daughter, was also questioned but denied any involvement in her father's death, the statement said.

The following day, Cpl Major said Donna Vasyli was interviewed again and was asked 15 questions. She again denied any involvement in her husband's murder.

Quinton de Graaf, also denied having a role in the podiatrist's death when questioned.

"On the 31st of March, I collected a death certificate from the Rand Lab where the cause of death was classified as a stab wound to the chest," Cpl Major's statement concluded.

The Crown had intended to continue the trial with the evidence of a forensic analyst based in Florida who examined a number of items collected from the crime scene.

However, the preparations for the witness' video link testimony were not ready and that evidence will now be heard on Monday.

The accused is represented by Elliot Lockhart, QC and Murrio Ducille.

The prosecution’s team is led by Acting Director and Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskin and Neil Braithwaite respectively.

Acting Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs is presiding over the trial.

Donna Vasyli is on $200,000 bail.