Courts / Kilkenny / Report

Staircase murder accused denied wiping blood stains from wall

Summary

Renars Veigulis, aged 32, was arrested on suspicion of murdering his partner, Rita Apine, aged 29, at their Freshford home on or about 14 May 2017. He pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. Veigulis maintains that Apine fell down the stairs, but forensic evidence presented by Dr Stephen Doak indicated that the blood‑staining on the wall beside the first step and on the baby‑gate at the bottom of the stairs suggested a forceful event. Doak also found hair‑swipe blood patterns and used luminol to reveal hidden blood marks, concluding that the wall had been wiped clean. During police interviews, Veigulis denied cleaning the wall, stating he had only performed CPR and called an ambulance. He also denied seeing any bruising on Apine's face, despite a paramedic's observation of bruising. The trial continues before a jury presided by Ms Justice Tara Burns.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Staircase murder accused denied wiping blood stains from wall. Charges or matters: murdering Rita Apine (29) at their home on or about May 14, 2017. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• May 14, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 17 Other
• 2018-11-23 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report