Ted Failon's wife shot herself, Ateneo forensic expert claims

MANILA, Philippines - A forensic expert from the Ateneo de Manila University on Monday said the wife of broadcaster Teodoro "Ted" Failon (Mario Teodoro Failon Etong in real life) most likely shot herself based on the contusion found in her skull. Dr. Erwin Erfe, a private forensic expert who joined the Quezon City Police District's scene of the crime operation (SOCO) team in conducting an autopsy on the body of Trinidad Etong, described as "uniform" the contusion or bruise created by the bullet that pierced through the broadcaster's wife's right temple. Erfe added that the bullet exited Trinidad's left temple. "Significant itong contusion collar or parang pasa na nilagusan ng bala. May sign na uniform ito. Ibig sabihin ang baril na ginamit ay perpendicular at pantay na pantay [The contusion collar or somewhat bruise was significant in the investigation. The contusion was uniform meaning the gun was fired perpendicularly and at a leveled position]," Erfe said in a radio interview Monday. Doctors at the New Era General Hospital, where a bloodied Trinidad was taken Wednesday last week, earlier claimed the bullet entered through her left temple and exited through her right temple. A day later, QCPD forensic experts clarified that they have yet to determine the entry and exit points of the bullet, stressing that the “left to right" trajectory claim was New Era’s and not theirs. Erfe said that if Failon - who is 5' 10" high - was the one who shot his wife - 5' 2" - the contusion would not have been perpendicular. Trinidad's body was autopsied and subjected under a paraffin test by three SOCO members and Erfe over the weekend between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Trinidad died Thursday night. Personal choice Erfe said that Failon personally requested him to serve as an independent forensic consultant among the members of the autopsy team. Heading the SOCO team that conducted the autopsy was Dr. Paul Ed Ortiz, a medico-legal expert from the Philippine National Police. "[The contusion] shows that this was most likely a suicide. In my professional opinion, most likely this was suicide than homicide considering that there are doubts that Mr. Ted Failon shot his wife," Erfe added. Erfe said that aside from the two gunshot wounds [the entry and exit wounds] on Trinidad's head, no other bruises or injury were found. "Walang sign of struggle or fight [There was no sign of struggle or fight]," he said. The QCPD has scheduled a press conference later in the day, reportedly to reveal the results of its forensic test conducted in connection to the shooting incident inside Failon's home in Tierra Pura in Quezon City last week. The QCPD Crime Lab earlier said it would scrutinize the evidence found in the crime scene, and even the blood stains left on Failon's clothes. Forensic results would be "corroborated" with other initial findings about the crime, including the trajectory of the bullet. GMANews.TV tried but failed to reach Dr. Filemon Porciuncula of the QCPD Crime Laboratory by phone to get the police's reaction to Erfe's findings. Erfe was the forensic expert earlier commissioned by the Public Atorney's Office to conduct an autopsy on the bodies of the suspected car thieves killed in the February 17 alleged shootout with police on NIA Road corner EDSA in Quezon City. - GMANews.TV