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Mrs John has also been charged with the attempted murder of her husband Nathan John, and jurors will be asked to say whether they are sure she inflicted a stab wound to his stomach.
Dr Brett Lockyer, a forensic pathologist, told the court on Friday that Ethan suffered wounds to his hand, including to his palm and between his thumb and index finger, which suggest he tried to defend himself.
He told jurors that the injuries to the boy’s hand could mean that Ethan tried to grab the blade in self-defence during the attack.
Jurors also heard the 11-year-old suffered 21 separate knife wounds – including to the head, chest, neck and hands.
