Bud the parrot could be key witness in murder trial

A PARROT may become a vital witness in a murder case after it apparently described the last words of the victim.

Glenna Duram, 48, is charged with the murder of her husband Martin in front of the couple’s pet African Grey parrot, Bud, at their home in Michigan in 2015.

His relatives believe Bud overheard the couple arguing and has been parroting back their final words, switching between a male and female voice. “Get out,” he has squawked. “Where will I go?” “Don’t f ***ing shoot.” But it has left prosecutors confused over whether they can use the words as testimony. Robert Springstead, Newaygo County prosecutor, told the Detroit

Free Press: “It’s an interesting novelty and it’s been a great opportunity for me to learn about African parrots.

“It is something we are going to be looking at to determine if it’s reliable to use.” However, he ruled out asking the bird to take the witness stand.

Mrs Duram is accused of shooting her husband five times before trying to kill herself. She survived a bullet wound to the head. Her husband’s relatives believe they argued over unpaid bills and her gambling debts.

It would not be the first time a parrot’s statement has been considered for use in a murder trial.

In 1993, a lawyer argued that an African Grey may hold the key to who killed its owner. But a judge in North California ruled the evidence could not be used.