Investigator challenges claim of multiple blood sources at scene

Evidence by a crime scene forensic investigator has countered the defence’s assertion that blood from another injured person, aside from that of Keith Clarke, was discovered in the house on the night of the businessman’s fatal shooting.

The defence had presented photographs displaying what seemed to be bloodstains on the floors of the washroom and living room at the Kirkland Close, Red Hills premises in St Andrew.

However, when questioned by prosecutor Dwayne Green about the photograph depicting the mark in the washroom, the investigator stated that the marks appeared to be blood transfer – indicating the movement of a substance from an area of high concentration to another location.

“There are only traces of the brown substance resembling blood. It is not concentrated; only mere traces were present,” he said.

Besides the photograph, attorneys Valerie Neita-Robertson, KC, and Linton Gordon also implied the presence of another individual based on bloodstains while cross-examining Clarke’s widow and daughter.

Neita-Robertson had asked Brittany Clarke whether the supposed bloodstains were proof that someone other than her and her parents was inside the home on the night of the shooting. The witness replied, “No”.

Before that, Gordon had suggested to Dr Claudette Clarke that another person was in her home that night, other than her husband and daughter.

After showing her a document, Gordon had asked if she would be surprised to know that the DNA of another person other than her husband and daughter was found in the master bedroom in which her husband was killed.

But the retired senior education officer, who has maintained that there was no one at the home that night apart from herself, her daughter and her husband, said she would not be surprised because several members of the security forces went into her room that night.

Keith, a 63-year-old chartered accountant, was shot 21 times during a May 2010 raid at his home by members of the security forces in search of then fugitive Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, who was wanted by United States authorities for drug and gunrunning offences.

Three soldiers – Lance corporals Greg Tingling and Odel Buckley, as well as Private Arnold Henry – are now on trial for his murder in the Home Circuit Court before Justice Dale Palmer.

Meanwhile, the investigator, during his evidence on Monday, testified that he had observed a vegetated area behind the Clarkes’ house, which led to the Red Hills main road.

Asked if he could walk from the vegetated area to the main road, he said that he could not due to the steepness and density of the vegetation.

The defence had suggested that Coke and his men, who were in the house that night, had escaped through the bushes.

Prosecutor Green then sought to ascertain from the witness whether someone could walk from the house to the main road, but the defence lawyers objected to the question.

Peter Champagnie, KC, said the question was inviting the witness to speculate as he did not traverse the area, nor had he attempted to.

The prosecutor, on the other hand, said the witness should not be limited based on whether he had walked there or attempted as he was being questioned based on his observation, but Justice Dale Palmer accepted that the question was inviting speculation.

The witness, during a statement that was read into evidence, had stated that 572 spent casings were found at the scene in the aftermath of the shooting.

He will face cross-examination when the trial resumes today.

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com