No bullets were seen at lab, expert tells murder trial
THE trial of a husband accused of murdering his wife’s lover by shooting him dead before destroying his body has heard evidence from a ballistics expert.
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 also heard police evidence where Jones told a detective he considered Mr O’Leary to be a good friend.
Forensic scientist Ben Southall, of the National Ballistics Intelligence Service, gave evidence about two guns and bullet casings which were examined at the laboratory where he works.
Mr Southall was questioned on the sound produced by the weapons and variations of sounds emitted.
He said both weapons, if fitted without a sound moderator, would normally produce 135-140 decibels, with a comparison being the sound of a car backfiring.
With a sound moderator, it would produce around 110-115 decibels.
The expert explained “silencers” are slightly mislabelled as they do not silence the weapon, but reduce the sound.
Another factor that could impact on sound was the type of ammunition used, whether that be supersonic or subsonic, which is slower than the speed of sound, with a lower velocity.
In answer to questions drafted by the jury, Mr Southall said: “Weather conditions can play a factor. Variables such as wind are known to affect the sound.”
Mr Southall was asked about the defendant Andrew Jones’ claims, previously heard by the court, that he fired two shots into the ground when at Cyncoed Farm with Mr O’Leary.
Mr Southall was asked whether the bullets were recovered and if the shotgun slugs would have stuck in the Tarmac or ricocheted elsewhere.
He said: “There were no bullets submitted to the laboratory for examination. I am unaware of the existence of any bullets.
“The slugs would have penetrated soil but a lead bullet would not have penetrated Tarmac. Where it would have ended up is variable.”
Prosecutor James Wilson read out a written statement to the jury by Detective Constable Rhian John.
She explained she attended Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen to speak
to the defendant Andrew Jones about the disappearance of Mr O’Leary. Jones was at A&E to be with his wife, Rhiannon, who had been admitted.
The statement said that Jones told the officer he was aware Mr O’Leary was missing and his vehicle had been located and that police were out looking for him. He said a friend called Clinton Morgan was arranging a group search for him.
He said he considered himself to be good friends with Mr O’Leary and had been on his son’s stag “do”.
He claimed he last saw him from a distance on January 25 as he dropped his wife and daughter off at Nantgare
dig Rugby Club for a ladies’ night.
The trial is now into its second week at Swansea Crown Court. The prosecution’s case is that Mr O’Leary was shot and killed and that a forklift was then used to move his body.
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.
Jones, 53, of Bronwydd Road in Carmarthen, denies murder and his trial, expected to last up to four weeks, began on September 14.
The case, which is being heard by Mrs Justice Jefford, continues.