Not sure why appalled. It is horrendous situation but the medical expert looks to have stated that they can’t necessarily link those blows with the cane to his death as there could have been other causes or other reasons for the blows. While unlikely logically that wouldn’t allow a jury to convict for murder as it creates doubts and wouldnt be ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’
Whatever we might reasonably think that is what a jury has to go by. There is every chance that blow caused the death but it isn't without a doubt proof.