Krzystof Grzegorski pleads not guilty to murder

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Krzystof Grzegorski pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The State did not accept his manslaughter plea. Dariusz Weckowicz pleaded not guilty to murder.

The proceedings were reported on 23 June 2016. Both men, who lived in Letterkenny, were on trial at the Central Criminal Court accused of murdering Bogdan Michalkiewicz at his home in Westside, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, on 13 May 2013.

Dr Alan McGee of Forensic Science Ireland told prosecuting counsel Alex Owens SC that he examined shoes, jeans and a jacket Mr Weckowicz gave to gardai on 17 May 2013, four days after the alleged killing.

He said DNA from blood samples on the right shoe, jeans and jacket matched Bogdan Michalkiewicz. Blood patterns on the jacket suggested Mr Weckowicz was within two metres of him while he was still "actively bleeding".

Under questioning by defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC, Dr McGee agreed the evidence only showed Mr Weckowicz was in the room. Asked whether the extent of the bloodstains suggested he inflicted the injuries, Dr McGee replied: "I could not rule anything in or out." Mr Grehan asked whether Mr Weckowicz could have been "present but passed out". Dr McGee replied: "I can't say."

John McCullough of Forensic Science Ireland said he examined two cushions and a blanket bearing bloody footprints. He found two distinct prints, neither of which matched Mr Weckowicz's shoes.

The trial was continuing before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of eight men and four women.