Surgery not an option for Latasha Roundtree, doctors testify

Latasha Roundtree wasn't conscious, couldn't breathe on her own, her pupils were fixed and dilated and she already was brain dead when she was transferred to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Sept. 22, 2012, according to testimony Monday.

Dr. Alice Fagin, UIHC acute care surgeon, testified Roundtree had a gunshot wound to the right side of her forehead. She said Roundtree wasn't responding and couldn't breathe without a ventilator. Doctors talked about cranial surgery to relieve brain swelling from her injury but they determined she wasn't going to survive.

Once the ventilator was turned off, the 19-year-old died two minutes later at 3:05 a.m. Sept. 23, 2012.

Tajh Ross, 20, is on trial for first-degree murder in Roundtree's death. He is accused of shooting and killing Roundtree while she was a passenger in a car. Roundtree was with two friends and they were headed to a party where Ross also was that night, according to testimony.

'Replay live coverage: Tajh Ross murder trial, Day 5.

Ross also faces charges of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony and going armed with intent. Roundtree wasn't the intended target that night but she was the one shot, according to testimony.

Dr. Dennis Firchau, UIHC forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy, testified Monday the cause of death was the gunshot wound to the head. The injury caused bleeding in and around Roundtree's brain, causing swelling which affected oxygen to the brain, the brain stem, her breathing, consciousness and heart function.

Roundtree also had injuries to the right side of her face consistent with a bullet hitting a car window and the shards of glass striking her face.

First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks asked if the gunshot injury was consistent with her looking back at a shooter who was in an elevated position and firing straight at her.

Firchau said the upward trajectory of the bullet through her brain would be compatible with someone looking back. He explained when most people turn their heads, they usually raise their chins. He admitted he couldn't with 'medical certainty” say her chin was lifted up.

The bullet entered the right frontal skull and a partial exit wound was on the left back side of the skull but the bullet was lodged and didn't completely go through, Firchau said.

Todd Weimer, Ross' attorney, on cross examination asked if there was any injury to the left side of her face and if she had any shoulder injury consistent with a seatbelt.

Firchau said no.

'You don't know the position of the person in the car, except that she was on the right passenger side?” Weimer said.

Firchau agreed. He also couldn't say if Roundtree had a seatbelt on that night.

Weimer also asked about the toxicology report on Roundtree.

Firchau said THC or marijuana was found in her system.

'Can that be a depressant ... lead to impairment ... movement in car?” Weimer asked.

Firchau said yes.

In other testimony, Ron Johnson, Cedar Rapids Police crime scene investigator, testified officers were able to lift a latent print of one finger off the .40 caliber handgun identified as the murder weapon. The print belonged to Yasin Muhidin, 18, who has pleaded guilty in this case.

In earlier testimony, witnesses said Muhidin and Ross wrestled over the gun but Ross, who was wearing gloves, claimed it. One witness said he saw Ross fire the .40 caliber at the car.

The prosecution continues its case at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Linn County District Court. The trial, which started last Tuesday, is expected to continue all week.

Gazette Reporter Trish Mehaffey will continue her live coverage from the courtroom. Follow her live blog at thegazette.com. Followers can provide comments and ask questions during the trial.

l Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@sourcemedia.net