DNA reveals little, court hears

The DNA of several individuals, including at least one male and one female, was found on a hoodie discarded following the murder of Jonathan Bacon, a Kelowna court heard Tuesday.

Jason McBride, Michael Jones and Jujhar Khun-Khun were arrested in 2013 and charged with first-degree murder for the August 2011 killing of Bacon, along with the attempted murder of four others.

They have pleaded not guilty on all counts.

Forensic technologist Tanya Dare analyzed the DNA samples on the discarded hoodie and attempted to match them with whom they belonged.

At least three profiles were discovered via analysis of DNA on the interior right cuff of the sweatshirt, including at least one male, said Dare.

“My assessment is based on the amount of genetic characteristics present, so for me to say at least three (profiles), that means I was seeing at least five characteristics in some of the locations of the DNA,” she said.

“Due to the number of possible contributors to this mixed profile and the weakness of some component, no meaningful comparison could be made to any profiles.”

DNA sampling was also taken from the back of the neck of the hoodie, where DNA from two people, including at least one male was found.

No match could be made to any individual, said Dare.

DNA from the interior left cuff of the hoodie appeared to have come from an unknown female.

Dare noted DNA samples taken from the small areas on the cuffs and the neck of the hoodie did not appear to match that of McBride.

“The partial minor component matched no known sample from McBride, and the estimated probability with selecting an unrelated individual at random from the Canadian Caucasian population with the same profile is one in 3.4 thousand,” she said.

The probability of the DNA in the right pocket of the hoodie matching the DNA of McBride decreased to one in 160,000, said Dare.

During Crown prosecutor Dave Ruse’s opening statement in the murder trial, he said DNA from all three of the men accused of killing Bacon was found on hoodies and a ball cap discarded in a Lake Country residential recycling cart after the murder in Kelowna.

The trial continues.