A report released by Professor Yehuda Hiss, a former Chief Pathologist at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, delivers a major boost for the defense’s case in the manslaughter trial of Sgt. Elor Azaria. Azariya shot a wounded terrorist in Hebron on Purim, fearing the terrorist had a bomb on his body. He now faces manslaughter charges for his actions but according to Hiss, it is most unlikely that Azariya killed him, pointing out the bullets that struck the terrorist earlier most likely caused his death. Hiss’ findings were released by Channel 1 News on Wednesday evening 27 Menachem Av.

Hiss dismissed the findings of the earlier report which was filed a few months ago, now explaining “that in all likelihood, the deceased suffered acute respiratory failure combined with an air embolism to his heart and brain from the injury to his right lung by two bullets”. Hence, he is confident that Azariya’s bullet that hit the terrorist in his head was already after he died.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)