'Pumping Party' Witness Describes Horrific Death
Prosecutor: Woman Injected with 'Insane Amount' Of Silicone
POSTED: 11:50 a.m. EDT May 15, 2003
UPDATED: 2:20 p.m. EDT May 15, 2003
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- There was dramatic testimony in the trial of two men accused of killing a woman by giving her illegal silicone injections.
Witness Cory Williams hosted the "pumping party" where Vera Lawrence, 52, died. Williams, a transsexual, said he and another person saw Mark Hawkins and Donnie Hendrix inject industrial silicone into Lawrence.
Williams (pictured, right in file photo) testified Tuesday that he could hear Lawrence gasping for breath before she died.
The state says Hawkins and Hendrix would buy a gallon of silicone for about $8, then tour the country hosting so-called pumping parties. They allegedly injected women and transgender people who wanted cut-rate "body sculpting" or cosmetic enhancements.
Prosecutors say Lawrence's death was a direct result of the silicone injections. Hawkins and Hendrix are alleged to have injected 12,000 cc's of industrial strength silicone into each of Lawrence's buttocks.
Defense attorney George Reres said it was Lawrence's desire to have an "insane" amount of silicone injected into her body over the course of five years that over time caused her to essentially take her own life.
Eric Johnson, vice president of Panair Laboratory in Miami, told Click10.com that 12,000 cc's of an industrial grade silicone could be as much as 3 gallons in volume, and more than 25 pounds in weight.
That means Lawrence could have had up to 6 gallons of silicone weighing up to 50 pounds injected into her body.
Testimony continues today in the trial.
More Information: Dying For Beauty: The Sordid History Of Silicone Injections
Witness Cory Williams hosted the "pumping party" where Vera Lawrence, 52, died. Williams, a transsexual, said he and another person saw Mark Hawkins and Donnie Hendrix inject industrial silicone into Lawrence.
Williams (pictured, right in file photo) testified Tuesday that he could hear Lawrence gasping for breath before she died.
The state says Hawkins and Hendrix would buy a gallon of silicone for about $8, then tour the country hosting so-called pumping parties. They allegedly injected women and transgender people who wanted cut-rate "body sculpting" or cosmetic enhancements.
Prosecutors say Lawrence's death was a direct result of the silicone injections. Hawkins and Hendrix are alleged to have injected 12,000 cc's of industrial strength silicone into each of Lawrence's buttocks.
Defense attorney George Reres said it was Lawrence's desire to have an "insane" amount of silicone injected into her body over the course of five years that over time caused her to essentially take her own life.
Eric Johnson, vice president of Panair Laboratory in Miami, told Click10.com that 12,000 cc's of an industrial grade silicone could be as much as 3 gallons in volume, and more than 25 pounds in weight.
That means Lawrence could have had up to 6 gallons of silicone weighing up to 50 pounds injected into her body.
Testimony continues today in the trial.
More Information: Dying For Beauty: The Sordid History Of Silicone Injections
Previous Stories:
- May 14, 2003: 'Pumping Party' Trial: 'Bizarre, Flamboyant, Unusual"
- May 14, 2003: 'Pumping Party' Trial: Witness Says Men Claimed To Be Doctors
- May 13, 2003: Testimony: Bloodstained Towels Found Near 'Pumping Party'
- May 7, 2003: Jury Dismissed In 'Pumping Party' Trial After Allegations Of Leaks
- May 1, 2003: Jury Selection Begins In 'Pumping Party' Death
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