Thu 13 Oct 2011 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Denis Phillips 2.20PM: A saliva stain from the teenager accused of murdering gay Papakura man Denis Phillips was found on the crotch of the victim's shorts, the High Court in Auckland has been told. ESR Forensic Scientist Fiona Matheson said DNA analysis of the saliva found it was "80 million, million times" more likely to be that of the 17-year-old accused Willie Ahsee than any other randomly selected New Zealander. Matheson said that meant there was "extreme strong scientific support" for the proposition it was Ahsee's saliva. Further DNA testing found the shorts, which were found on the floor of Phillips' lounge after he was killed, were normally worn by the victim. It's now the fourth day of Ahsee's trial at the High Court in Auckland, where he faces a charge of murdering 59-year-old Phillips, who was a temporary non-sworn police officer who lived alone in a Papakura flat where he was found July 2010, after being stabbed four times the night previous. The victim's body was face-down and surrounded in blood on the hallway floor, clad only in boxer shorts and trackpants. Matheson said semen stains were found on both the trackpants and boxers, and DNA testing found the semen belonged to Phillips. However the ESR Scientist said it was “not uncommon to find semen stains on men’s underpants and lower clothing.” In its opening the Crown lawyer said Phillips was gay, and was sexually attracted to younger men who he would from time to time make advances to and proposition. She said Ahsee denied any physical or sexual contact with Phillips, but could not remember the circumstances around the stabbing. The trial continues. GayNZ.com's in-court coverage will continue throughout each day of the trial.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 13th October 2011 - 2:22pm