Medical examiner testifies in Greene trial

A forensic pathologist who performed an autopsy on Addison Macemore testified Friday that the 8-year-old died of carbon monoxide inhalation.

Thomas Owens, a Mecklenburg County medical examiner, took the stand Friday and said he observed a large amount of soot in the girl’s airways and esophagus during the examination.

Lisa Louise Greene, the girl’s mother, is charged with arson and two counts of murder in a Jan. 2006 mobile home fire that left her two children, Daniel Macemore and Addison Macemore, dead. She could face the death penalty if found guilty.

Court proceedings recessed at 4 p.m. Friday after Lisa Dubs, Greene’s attorney, argued that the defense wasn’t aware that the medical examiner would be giving his opinion on the manner in which the girl died.

“We had no notice about his opinion until it came out of his mouth on the witness stand,” Dubs said.

Judge Robert Bell recessed the trial so defense attorneys could prepare for questioning of a second medical examiner who conducted the autopsy on Daniel.

This is the second time this week court proceedings have recessed early. Court proceedings recessed at noon Thursday due to an illness in Dubs’ family. A sick juror caused proceedings on Tuesday to be cancelled.

Bell has asked the prosecution and defense attorneys to speed up witness questioning to have the trial completed by Christmas.

The trial began with jury selection on Oct. 8.