MIAMI – The state called its last witness to the stand Tuesday in the murder trial of Janepsy Carballo.
Miami-Dade County medical examiner Dr. Emma Lew used a foam mannequin from a department store and a handful of large knitting needles to dramatically demonstrate where the victim, Ilam Nissim, was shot and the trajectory each bullet took.
"Do you have an opinion regarding the cause of Mr. Nissim's death?" asked the prosecutor.
"Yes," said Lew. "The cause of death is gunshot wounds."
"Do you have an opinion as to the manner of Mr. Nissim's death?" asked the prosecutor.
"The manner of death is homicide," said Lew.
Carballo is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Nissim inside her North Miami home. Nissim was her husband Orlando Mesa's business partner.
According to prosecutors, Carballo fatally shot Nissim in 2008 because she believed he was responsible for Mesa's death. Mesa was shot and killed outside the couple's home a month prior as he played with his 20-month-old son. The toddler was grazed by a bullet, but survived his injuries. Mesa was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives said Carballo admitted to shooting Nissim because she suspected he killed her husband following a failed business deal.
The defense will begin calling its witnesses Wednesday. Sources told Local 10 News that there is a good chance that Carballo will take the stand in her own defense.
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