International Forensic expert testifies in Shermel's murder trial
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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| Florida-based Forensic expert Kevin Noppinger |
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - KEVIN NOPPINGER, a Forensic expert attached to DNA Labs International in Florida, yesterday told the court that he did not find Shermel Phillip’s DNA profile in any of the blood samples taken from her husband Warrington Phillip.
Noppinger however said he did find DNA profile in a skin tissue taken from under Phillip’s nails. On Tuesday, February 20, 2007, police arrested and charged the former Leeward Islands spin bowler with the murder of his wife, which he allegedly committed on Friday, February 16, 2007.
Counsel for the accused, Dr. Henry Browne, in his cross examination of Noppinger asked, “You are saying one cannot tie him scientifically to blood samples?” to which the Forensic expert answered in the affirmative.
Noppinger further explained that that no DNA profile was found in any blood-based exhibits handed to him for analysis on March 11, 2007. He also confirmed that all the items, including a green T-shirt, a blue cap and a khaki pants, that he received from the police to analyse were exhibited in the court.
In his testimony, police officer Joel Caines said that on the day Shermel was murdered, he and two other officers, Alonzo Carty and Royston Isaac, went to the crime scene and he found a blue cap on the left side of the deceased’s car which was parked in the driveway of her Brown Hill residence.
Caines told the court that he looked at the front and left side of the as well as within and saw a female whom he recognised to be Shermel. He said she was wearing a pair of pants, a white blouse and brown sandals, and he had noticed a wound on her neck and a lot of blood on the back and front seats of the car.
He added that there was a cell phone between the two seats and an earring at the back of the car as well as a necklace, and the handle of the right window was off and close to her head. Caines said he then went to the Alexandra Hospital, where friends had taken the accused for medical attention, and he informed him that his wife was murdered. The police officer said Phillip had asked him if he could see his wife, and he responded by informing him that he [Caines] would have to ask him questions in relation to his whereabouts that evening.
Caines informed the court that Phillip told him he had been playing golf until 5:30 p.m. on that fateful day and had left the golf course for Mango’s Restaurant and later visited the Water Department’s barbeque spot by Pump Road. ~~Adz:Right~~
Caines said he had noticed a spot of blood on the chest area of the shirt Phillip was wearing, and he also noticed small bleeding wounds on his hands which appeared to have been made by fingernails.
Caines said he asked Phillip from where he had gotten the cuts, and the accused told him at his place of work.
“I told him I was holding him in suspicion of the murder of his wife, and I took his to the police station. I informed him I was going to take a swab from his hands. He consented. I put on gloves and swabbed both of his hands, paying attention to his finger nails,” Caines told the court and further stated that he had placed the swabs in vials and sealed them.
According to Caines, they took Phillip to his residence and executed within and without the house, as well as his vehicle where they found blood on the left door. He also told the court that he was present on the following day (February, 17, 2007) when Assistant Commissioner of Police Joseph Liburd, then Superintendent and Head of the Nevis Division, requested a sample from Phillip for DNA test.
He recalled that on the request, Phillip had said, “Liburd, I will give you the sample. You know I was not involved in the murder of my wife. You know I would not do something like that.”
An Orderly at the Alexandra Hospital also testified and told the court that on arrival at the institution he had assisted Phillip’s friends in taking him into the Emergency Ward. According to the Orderly, the accused was crying and said “he does not trouble anybody”, and he asked him [the Orderly] if his wife was already at the hospital, to which the Orderly said “no”.
Lydia Letang, an employee of Mango’s Restaurant, said she saw Phillip at the restaurant at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 16, 2007. She noted that he was dressed in a dark coloured shirt and had left the restaurant around 6:00 p.m.
However, it was revealed in court that when Caines talked to Phillip at the hospital he was wearing a multi-coloured T-shirt, a blue shirt and a khaki pants.
