Courts / Dublin / Report

Blood matching murder accused found on knife handle, jury hears

Date
2015-12-16

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

In a murder trial, forensic scientist John Hoade testified that DNA from the tip of a knife found in Trevor Corr's bedroom matched the deceased, James Humphries, while blood on the handle matched Corr. Hoade, an expert in blood pattern analysis, examined the scene at Kiltalown Way, Tallaght, on 23 and 24 September 2013, and also analyzed Corr's tracksuit bottoms, finding heavy blood staining and a DNA profile matching Humphries. He estimated the probability of such a match from an unrelated person to be less than one in a thousand million. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan asked if the evidence suggested Humphries was stabbed in the bed by Corr and that the knife used was likely the one found in the bedroom locker; Hoade agreed it would be consistent with that description. The prosecution's case ended, and the defence would not call further evidence. The jury was told they would hear closing speeches the next morning. Trevor Corr pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Blood matching murder accused found on knife handle, jury hears. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of James Humphries (32) at Kiltalown Way in Tallaght on September 22, 2013. Procedural stage: trial

When: