ACO Armagh man who was beaten to death in his own home survived for a number of hours after the fatal attack, a jury heard today.
Marcell Seeley (34) was found dead in the living room of his Dingwell Park flat in the Tagnaven estate in Lurgan in October 2015, with the cause of death determined as blunt force trauma to the head.
The father-of-four - described in court as an alcoholic - sustained multiple injuries in the attack including fatal head injuries. He also sustained two fractured ribs, a fracture to a bone just above his voicebox and a shoulder injury consistent with stamping.
Mark Daniel Ward (25) from Drumellan Gardens in the Moyraverty area of Craigavon has been charged with murdering Mr Seeley in or around Sunday October 11 2015. He denies the charge and is standing trial at Belfast Crown Court.
Pathologist James Lynas, who carried out the post mortem, detailed the many injuries sustained by Mr Seeley and concluded death was due to the brain injuries caused by blunt force trauma.
The pathologist also said that Mr Seeley "survived for a number of hours" after the beating.
Dr Lynas told the jury that samples of blood and alcohol taken from Mr Seeley indicated the presence of alcohol. His blood sample suggested he was "moderately intoxicated" when he died.
The jury has already heard evidence from a friend and neighbour of Mr Seeley, who claimed he spoke to Ward on the morning of Sunday October 11. The neighbour said Ward told him he hit Mr Seeley "a couple of jabs ... two lefts and a right" and that he saw blood on Ward's hand.
