Fingerprints of flat murder accused found at scene, trial hears
Fingerprints and the palm print of a man accused of beating a pensioner to death were found at the scene of the murder, jurors were told.
Jay Lee Gallier, 33, allegedly killed Barry Johnson, 67, at his home in Dean Court, The Promenade in Brierley Hill, between August 22 and 23, 2021.
West Midlands Police fingerprint expert Anthony Christopher told the jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday that prints matching Gallier's DNA were uncovered during forensic checks.
Miss Jennifer Josephs, prosecuting barrister, read aloud transcripts of the defendant's police interview after his arrest on August 28. The jury was told that Gallier at first denied ever visiting the block, before telling detectives that his grandparents once lived there.
The jury heard that at first Gallier denied being the person captured on closed circuit cameras at the front entrance. But when they put to him that the clothing matched items belonging to him, he then claimed he had been "scratching round" in the bins outside and had not gone inside.
Then when the officers asked him to explain again exactly what his movements were on August 23, the defendant was alleged to have repeatedly replied, "no comment".
Gallier, of Salop Street, in Dudley, who the jury was told had previous convictions for assault, was alleged to have attacked Mr Johnson after entering the block when another resident opened the front door to leave. He denies murder.
The trial continues.
