Court told footballer’s jugular vein slashed as graphic photos shown in murder trial

Graphic photos of a Brisbane footballer’s body have been shown to a jury on the fourth day of the trial of a man charged with his murder.

A Brisbane footballer allegedly murdered in a violent league club brawl suffered a fatal neck wound which slashed his jugular vein, a jury has been told.

Graphic photos of Adam John Woodward’s body were shown to the court on the fourth day of Levi John Stephen Elliott’s trial in Brisbane.

Mr Elliott has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Woodward during a street fight outside the Brothers St Brendans Leagues Club on August 24, 2018.

A forensic pathologist has told a jury Adam John Woodward (pictured) suffered a fatal wound to his neck that slashed his jugular vein in addition to multiple “stab and incisor wounds”.

The crown contends Mr Elliott fatally stabbed Mr Woodward with a butterfly knife during the fight with the intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm.

Mr Elliott’s defence team says he was defending himself during the fight.

Forensic pathologist Dr Bianca Phillips on Thursday told the jury that Mr Woodward had 17 “sharp-force injuries” when his body was examined.

Images of Mr Woodward’s body post-mortem and a bloodstained butterfly knife were shown to the court.

Dr Phillips said Mr Woodward died from multiple stab and incisor wounds inflicted with “moderate force”.

She said a fatal wound on his neck “transected” the left jugular vein.

“The total length of that wound from the skin surface into the lung was at least 67mm,” Dr Phillips said.

“The injury … caused bleeding from the vein into the left chest cavity.”

The Brothers St Brendans Leagues Club in the Brisbane suburb of Rocklea.

Dr Phillips said she found more than a litre of blood within the chest cavity surrounding the left lung, which was collapsed and “not able to aerate properly”.

Throughout the trial the jury was told Mr Elliot and Mr Woodward had a history of animosity towards each other and previously had confrontations at the club.

Ms Marco said Mr Elliott had previously spoken with others about wanting to use the knife against Mr Woodward months before the incident.

She said Mr Elliott had told another person at the club that he did not like Mr Woodward as he had been rude to Mr Elliott’s mother and “treated his sister badly” over a one-off sexual interaction.

Witness Shane Brown gave evidence on Thursday that Mr Elliott was being a “smart arse” on the night and mocking Mr Woodward as he played pool.

He said he told Mr Elliott to “piss off” despite the latter offering pizza and wanting to shake his hand.

Mr Woodward (pictured) and Levi John Stephen Elliott did not like each other and had a history of conflict at the club.

“He kept repeating, ‘There’s cameras here’,” Mr Brown said.

During cross-examination, Mr Maguire questioned if Mr Brown’s recollection of the conversation was accurate due to other hostile exchanges between the groups that night.

Mr Brown told the jury of an incident earlier that year where Mr Woodward told him he was worried Mr Elliott was going to come around to his house and “bash” him.

The trial continues.