One of two doctors killed in Boston penthouse had 24 incised and stab wounds, pathologist testifies

Originally Published: 05 DEC 19 15:15 ET
Updated: 05 DEC 19 16:03 ET

    (CNN) -- Lina Bolanos' mother sobbed heavily and left the Boston courtroom Thursday when a pathologist described the way the two well-known doctors were killed in their penthouse in May 2017.

Bolanos, 39, and Richard Field, 48, both anesthesiologists, had desperately tried alerting police, family and friends before they were stabbed to death.

At BampumimTeixeira's double murder trial, medical examiner Richard Atkinson testified that Bolanos sustained 24 incised and sharp-force stab wounds. Some fatally severed her internal jugular vein, Atkinson testified. An incised wound, which is caused by a sharp edge, is usually longer than it is deep

His testimony was briefly interrupted, with the jury leaving the courtroom, when Bolanos' mother, Ana Delia Vergara, broke into heavy sobs as she heard the details.

Assistant District Attorney John Pappas had a family member explain that Vergara could not stay in the courtroom unless she composed herself. Bolanos' mother then left.

The autopsy showed Bolanos also suffered multiple blunt force injuries, including significant injuries to her face and head, according to Atkinson. Field suffered a single fatal stab wound to the neck that severed his carotid artery, Atkinson said.

The doctors also sustained injuries consistent with being bound or cuffed, the medical examiner testified.

During brief cross-examination, Atkinson said he was unable to determine who died first or the time of death. The medical examiner said he could not tell what kind of knife was used.

Prosecutors said Teixeira briefly worked as a concierge at the building where he is accused of killing the doctors.

The defendant allegedly used his familiarity with the complex to lurk around and find the right moment to sneak into the couple's 11th floor apartment, according to prosecutors.

Jury deliberations could begin this week. Teixeira, 33, has pleaded not guilty.

"No video, no audio, no scientific evidence, no credible evidence will tell you that Bampumim Teixeira broke into the home of Lina Bolanos and Richard Field and murdered them," defense attorney Steven Sack argued. "And that's because he didn't."

Prosecutors said that in the bloodied penthouse where the couple had been beaten and bound with duct tape police discovered a chilling message scrawled on a wall.

The words "payback" and "he killed my wife," were written out in large letters, Boston Police Department Sgt. Edward Meade testified, according to CNN affiliate WHDH.

Meade said officers found photos that were crossed out and marked.

Police said at the time of the slayings they were first contacted on the evening of May 5, 2017, by the building concierge, who had been alerted by a concerned friend following a text from Field.

Matthias Heidenreich -- a friend of the doctors -- testified that he received a series of texts from Field asking that he call 911 because a gunman had entered their apartment. He said that he responded but got no answer.

The messages started "Call 111" -- an apparent reference to 911 -- followed by "Gun man", and "in house" before ending with "Serious," according to the Boston Herald.

Bolanos' godmother, Amanda Gibbs, testified she recognized "Lina's voice" in a phone call to 911 that was played at trial.

In the call, Bolanos' voice was muffled. When she was unable to respond to repeated questions, the operator said she was "releasing the call" and hung up, CNN affiliate WCVB reported.

Field also tried calling for help -- he called 911 eight times, Boston police Sgt. Scott Mackie testified, according to CNN affiliate WHDH. His phone log showed the calls lasted no longer than two seconds, Mackie testified.

Teixeira was arrested in a building hallway, where he told police there were bodies in the penthouse, Boston police Det. Sean Wallace testified.

"Then he said, 'You guys are going to die.' Then he said, 'They killed my wife.' Then he mentioned something and I heard the word 'sniper,''' the detective told the jury.

Boston Officer Scott MacIsaac testified last month that he shot Teixeira after he saw a silhouette that appeared to be holding a firearm, WCVB reported.

Teixeira was hit in his left hand, abdomen and leg. He was wearing gloves and dark clothing, authorities said.

Outside the apartment, police found a backpack with a replica firearm and jewelry, police said at the time of the slayings. A carving knife and a bright yellow shirt were also found nearby, police said.

The defendant moved from Cape Verde, an island nation off the coast of Africa, to Boston in 2010 to live with his adoptive mother. But after a year in the United States, at age 24, he abruptly and permanently severed that relationship, Maria Luisa Teixeira told CNN in 2017.

Field was instrumental in founding North Shore Pain Management, according to a statement from the staff there at the time of his death. Bolanos was a pediatric anesthesiologist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, according to the clinic's CEO, John Fernandez.

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