James Brindley murder trial: DNA evidence 'found on dumped jacket'
Extensive damage to a jacket found near the scene of a stabbing was caused by tearing rather than by a knife, a forensic expert told a jury.
The black padded jacket, said to belong to a teenager jointly charged with murdering gym instructor James Brindley, was found in a park bin in The Croft, Aldridge, yards from the spot where the victim was stabbed last June.
Forensic scientist Kim Edwards told Birmingham Crown Court that the damage was the result of tearing, as in a scuffle, rather than a knife slash.
DNA evidence showed that the jacket was likely to have belonged to the 17 year old accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
There was also DNA belonging to co-defendant Aaron Kahrod, aged 21, and the victim.
More background from the trial
Miss Edwards said that the location of Mr Brindley’s DNA on the front of the clothing, the back of the neck and one of the cuffs suggested an altercation during which he had grappled with the 17 year old.
The prosecution claims the two defendants were the aggressors and that Mr Brindley did no more than was reasonable to protect himself.
Kahrod, of Walsall Road, Aldridge, denies ‘playing an unlawful part in the incident’, while the teenager claims he stabbed Mr Brindley in self-defence. Both deny murder.
Earlier the court heard that the pair were recognised by a number of people when CCTV footage was released by police and shown on Crimewatch.
Jurors were told that during a covertly-recorded conversation while remanded in custody that the youth ‘admitted’ he and his co-accused knew there was blood on the blade when they fled the scene.
But both initially told police they were not involved in the alleged murder, Mr Jonas Hankin, QC, prosecuting, revealed.
Encounter
He added: “Neither of them called an ambulance, even anonymously, despite knowing that Mr Brindley had been stabbed.”
It is alleged Mr Brindley was wounded during a ‘chance encounter’ with the defendants as he walked to his Little Aston Road home after seeing friends in the town centre, and was stabbed within 35 seconds of meeting the pair.
The blade used to deliver the fatal blow, believed to be a kitchen knife, has never been found.
The trial continues.
