Manning’s DNA found on knife, trial told
DNA that was likely from murder victim “Mellory” Manning was found on a knife retrieved from the Avon River after her body was found, the trial of the man accused of her killing was told in the High Court at Christchurch today.
Environmental Science and Research forensic scientist Jayshree Patel told the court she carried out a DNA profile on a sample taken from the “inside handle” of the knife.
She said a “combined partial DNA profile” was found on the knife which could have originated from the 27-year-old sex worker.
Her testing showed there was strong scientific support for the DNA having come from Miss Manning.
The knife was recovered from the Avon River near where her body was found on the morning of December 19, 2008.
She said she could not exclude the possibility that the material had been transferred to the knife as a result of it being in the river near Miss Manning’s bloodstained body.
A genital swab from Miss Manning’s body showed that at least three individuals had contributed DNA to the sample, including Miss Manning. A DNA profile from an identified person referred to as “Male B” was found as part of the testing, and there were trace amounts of another person’s DNA but they were unsuitable for further comparison.
The inquiry into Miss Manning’s murder included a large number of DNA reference samples from people involved in the inquiry.
The trial was told of analysis of DNA found in used condoms found at exterior sites in the city used by sex workers.
Mongrel Mob prospect Mauha Huatahi Fawcett, 26, denies a charge of murdering Miss Manning, who is also known at Ngatai Lynette Manning.
The Crown alleges she was taken from Manchester Street and beaten to death by Mongrel Mob members at a gang house in Galbraith Avenue, Avonside, before her body was dumped in the Avon River. She had been bashed, strangled, and stabbed.
The Crown alleges she was murdered because of claimed debts to the gang for drugs or a “tax” on sex workers.
The trial before Justice Gendall and a jury has just begun its second week.
The trial has been told that amongst the DNA profiles, it was accepted that Fawcett was identified as “Male Z”. An ESR witness confirmed for Fawcett’s amicus curiae (legal adviser appointed by the court), Craig Ruane, that none of the DNA profiles found either on Miss Manning’s body, or from the site at Dallington Terrace where her body was found, related to “Male Z”.
Afternoon update:
Detective Sonia Marie Douglas told the court that she had been appointed exhibits officer for the police’s Operation Dallington investigation into Miss Manning’s murder.
She detailed items found in a handbag that was worn over the murder victim’s shoulder. One of them items was a black notebook with the names and phone numbers of Miss Manning and her partner, and a list of “Mel’s clients”.
Category: Focus
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