Murder trial told of DNA match

DNA found on the cable ties used to bind Joanne Lees' hands matches that of Bradley John Murdoch, a Darwin court has heard.

Director of Public Prosecutions Rex Wild, QC, said DNA expert Dr Jonathan Whitaker found more of Murdoch's DNA on the gearstick of the orange Kombi van driven by Ms Lees and 28-year-old British tourist Peter Falconio.

"On the surface (of the ties) was DNA belonging to Joanne," Mr Wild said. "But within the layers of the tape the DNA profile, which was subject to Dr Whitaker's research, exactly matches that of Murdoch."

Mr Wild said the mathematical probability of Murdoch being the donor of the DNA was "very high". "It is a very strong match," he said.

The court heard a spot of blood on the T-shirt worn by Ms Lees on the day her boyfriend disappeared also matched Murdoch's DNA.

Murdoch pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Falconio on the opening day of his trial in the NT Supreme Court yesterday.

He also pleaded not guilty to assaulting Ms Lees and depriving her of her liberty.

In opening remarks to the jury Mr Wild said Murdoch was involved in running cannabis from SA to Broome with a business partner, and used drugs to stay awake over treks.

"He regularly drove from SA to WA on drug trips," Mr Wild said.

"He drove long distances using amphetamines."

Mr Wild said after Mr Falconio disappeared on July 14, 2001, Murdoch "undertook a complete transformation" of his vehicle and appearance and was "no longer prepared to do cannabis runs".

Mr Wild recounted the details of Mr Falconio's disappearance on what he called "a dark and lonely spot on Stuart Highway".

He said Ms Lees and Mr Falconio were about 100km north of Ti Tree when a car overtook them.

The driver was pointing at the rear of the Kombi "indicating a problem with the exhaust".

Mr Falconio pulled over and went to talk to the other driver. The court heard he came back to get his cigarettes and told Ms Lees to rev the engine.

"That was the last time Joanne Lees saw Peter Falconio alive," Mr Wild said. "She heard a loud noise like an engine backfiring or a gunshot.

"As she looked right, there was the man. He had a gun pointed at her.

"He told her to switch off the engine but she could not, she was shaking, so he did. She was frightened."

Mr Wild said the man tied Ms Lees' hands behind her back and forced her out of the van, punching her in the head when she tried to resist.

When the alleged murderer put her in the back of his car she said: "What do you want, money? The van? Take it. Are you going to rape me?"

The trial, before Chief Justice Brian Martin, continues today.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Tue, 18 October 2005
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Author: Rebecca Hewett
Copyright: 2005 Northern Territory News
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://ntnews.news.com.au/