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Expert Says Lankford's Description 'Impossible'

Accident Reconstruction Expert Says Truck Damage Doesn't Match Story

POSTED: 6:18 pm HST April 4, 2008
UPDATED: 6:47 pm HST April 4, 2008

A traffic accident expert called accused killer Kirk Lankford's story of how Masumi Watanabe died "physically impossible."

The expert said Lankford's account of two separate accidents match neither the damage on the vehicle or the laws of physics.

Accident reconstruction expert Ken Baker created pictures of the first time Lankford claimed he struck Watanabe on Pupukea Road. First he said Lankford's claim that he had time to slow down could not be true.

"He would have no time to slow down, no chance to swerve," Baker said.

He also said Watanabe would have been severely injured, not just grazed as Lankford claimed, with part of the injury from the antenna.

"There would be a deep laceration from the antenna, and the antenna would be damaged as a result of the collision," Baker said.

He said the mirror would also have been damaged. Neither the antenna nor the mirror were damaged on Lankford's truck.

The expert also said if Watanabe jumped from the truck as Lankford claimed, she would have traveled 80 to 100 feet, not just a few yards as he claimed.

Lankford's attorney questioned the sources for Baker's testimony, including a picture.

The attorney though had to conceded that his own client may have gotten some details wrong. In Lankford's last moment on the stand, talking about handling Watanbe's body, Lankford seemed to understand that, too.

"I don't have that vivid of a memory. I remember I was trying to be as gentle and respectful, but beyond that I don't remember exactly," Lankford said.

The jury will begin deliberations next week.

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