Forklift truck was left bloodstained, murder trial told
AFORKLIFT truck was left stained with blood after a husband allegedly shot his wife’s lover and moved the body, a court heard.
Andrew Jones is charged with the murder of missing Carmarthenshire 55-year-old Michael O’Leary. Prosecutors say the defendant lured Mr O’Leary to a farm before shooting him dead and then concealing his body.
The trial, which started on Monday, resumed for a fifth day yesterday when the jury was shown images from the scene at Cyncoed Farm of the forklift and its forks. A forensic scientist pointed out “dark staining” on the forks, which she said are areas of blood staining.
The prosecution’s case is that Mr O’Leary was shot and killed and that a forklift was used to move his body.
Claire Morse, who has been a forensic scientist since 2001, is an expert in DNA profiling, blood pattern analysis and regularly attends scenes of crimes.
She told the jury she attended Cyncoed Farm to examine blood on a forklift truck and determine how it was deposited, an area of gravel where there was blood, and anything else significant there, a red Biffa bin, and a static caravan, looking for any evidence of a clean-up.
The jury was shown pictures from the scene of the forklift and its forks, and Ms Morse pointed out “dark staining” on the forks, which she says are areas of blood staining.
It was later examined and found to be a DNA profile match to Mr O’Leary.
Ms Morse said: “In my opinion, the presence of the blood cannot be explained by Mr O’Leary being near it or getting blood onto it.”
The court also heard during evidence that some of Mr O’Leary’s DNA was found on the trigger of the gun.
A juror, posing a question to Miss Morse via prosecutor William Hughes QC, asked whether it could be possible for Mr O’Leary’s DNA to be deposited onto the trigger after he had been shot, by his finger being placed on the trigger.
Ms Morse said it was possible. The jury spent Thursday visiting a number of sites connected to the case.
They included Cyncoed Farm in Cwmfrwd, where Andrew Jones is alleged to have lured Mr O’Leary before his death. The farm was also the site where a number of bullet casings were discovered.
Jurors were also taken to Jones’ home address of Bronwydd Road in Carmarthen.
Forensic officers believe the casings found at the farm were fired by a Colt .22 rifle, which was discovered at Bronwydd Road.
Mr O’Leary’s DNA was also found on various pieces of blood-stained clothing at the address.
Fisherman’s car park, of Capel Dewi Road, was also visited.
Mr O’Leary was reported missing on the evening of January 27 after he failed to return to his Nantgaredig home from work and his whereabouts remain unknown.
The court heard Mr O’Leary’s family reported him missing after his wife and three sons received a text message, apparently sent by his mobile telephone, which read: “I’m so sorry x”.
On March 14 this year a piece of human tissue of a small intestine was discovered inside an oil barrel decanted at Jones’ address by police during a search of the property.
It matched the DNA profile of Mr O’Leary.
Mr Hughes said the defendant’s wife, Rhianon Jones, had been having an affair with Mr O’Leary, which Jones became aware of in September 2019.
He confronted his wife about it and she told him the affair had ended.
Mr Hughes said after he was arrested Jones told police investigators Mr O’Leary died in a “tragic accident” during a confrontation.
The court heard Jones admitted moving the body and the car and sending the text message.
Jones, 53, of Bronwydd Road in Carmarthen, denies murder.
The case, which is being heard by Mrs Justice Jefford, continues.