A defendant’s DNA was found on a glove left at the scene of a Taranaki gang shooting, a jury heard.
But there was no way to determine how the DNA got there or how old it was, the trial of Mitchell Whittaker was told.
Tuesday marked day seven of Whittaker’s trial in New Plymouth District Court, and much of the session was spent hearing from forensic scientists who examined the December 5, 2017 crime scene and items of interest for DNA.
A car used to crash into the Highway 61 gang pad in Norman St, Waitara, was left at the scene.
Nicholas Curnow, Environmental Science and Research (ESR), said one glove from a pair found in the car contained two sets of DNA, with the majority belonging to Whittaker.
Curnow said there was “extremely strong scientific support” to suggest it was Whittaker’s DNA on the item.
Whittaker’s DNA was also found on a hooded jersey ditched on Tate Rd, Waitara, close to a number of other abandoned items, such as balaclavas, gloves and a second car used in the ram-raid.
Curnow said two sets of DNA were also found on the jersey, which was common as people tend to share clothing.
He said the DNA belonging to the second person was unable to be identified.
Under cross-examination, Curnow was asked by defence lawyer Kylie Pascoe whether it was possible to transfer DNA from one person to another person and then to an object.
Curnow confirmed this could happen.
In essence, Whittaker’s DNA could have been transferred to the glove without him wearing it.
There was no way to determine how it got there or to date the DNA, Curnow said.
DNA samples taken from the other items of interest, including clothing and a rifle said to have been used in the shooting, either belonged to other people or was unable to be identified.
The Crown alleges Whittaker was one of a number of people who ram-raided the gang pad around 6pm on the day of the incident.
The attackers used a shotgun and a .22 rifle to shoot into the headquarters before fleeing the scene.
Whittaker has been further accused of shooting into the Warre St, Waitara, property of Trini Tito, a Highway 61 gang member, eight days later.
The car it is alleged Whittaker was driving at the time was taken from a New Plymouth complainant for “Black Power business” the night of the shooting and was driven to the field of Waitara Central School and set on fire shortly after.
The defence maintains Whittaker is not a member of either gang and was not at either shooting scene.
He is defending four charges: aggravated burglary and discharging a firearm with intent, commission of a crime with a firearm, and arson.
The trial continues.
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Source: Stuff