Mary's blood sample showed presence of lethal injection: Indian Professor

An Indian professor, who tested the blood sample of Mary Grace Oned Pineda, a Filipino nurse who worked in the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Malé City, has testified in court that traces of a potentially lethal injection called succinylcholine were found in her blood.

Two nurses from the same hospital, Haleemath Lamha and Marvin SY Vargas, who was also Mary's husband, are charged with the murder. Authorities believe that Lamha and Marvin were having an affair, and colluded in murdering Mary in October, 2021.

In the ongoing case at the Criminal Court, Marvin stands charged with intentional homicide, while Lamha is charged with knowingly participating in murder as well as unauthorized possession of another party's property.

The second charge against Lamha is for being in possession of medication which can only be used within hospital premises.

The forensic science specialist, who has 22 years of experience in the field, analysed Mary's blood sample against syringes found in Lamha's room.

A team of Maldives Police officers also went to the Indian university to conduct the analysis.

Testifying through the Maldivian High Commission in New Delhi, the professor said succinylcholine was found in Mary's blood sample, and that such a result would be produced when the substance or drug is administered to the individual.

However, the syringes found in Lamha's room did not show any traces of succinylcholine, he said.

Potassium chloride, propofol and succinylcholine injections were found in Lamha's room, all which are prohibited to be used outside of a hospital setting. Prosecutors allege Lamha took these injections without IGMH's authorisation.

Prosecutors also previously said that these injections can be lethal and used for murder. They also alleged at the time that succinylcholine was found in Mary's blood.

They further said that evidence would show Lamha and Marvin discussed administering injections to a woman, and that the conversation included what would be felt when the injection is administered. They also said that Lamha advised Marvin to do it quickly.

The state also revealed that on the day of the incident, Marvin searched the internet for easy ways to incapacitate a person.

Although Mary was initially said to have committed suicide, it was later ruled out and decided to be a premeditated murder.

Both Lamha and Marvin have pleaded not guilty to the charges raised against them. However, prosecution has submitted a large amount of evidence to prove the case, which includes a total of 110 pieces of evidence, out of which 74 are witnesses.

The prosecution said there was no evidence that Mary had committed suicide, noting that Marvin's account of the events that took place in their home differed. The prosecution also said that a scene was created to make it seem that Mary had committed suicide. However, the post-mortem revealed that she died of head and neck injuries. Lamha, who faces serious charges, has been placed under house arrest while Marvin remains in custody pending the outcome of their trial.