DNA results of Shineka Gray murder accused inconclusive – witness
Published:Tuesday | January 16, 2024 | 12:10 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
A forensic science officer called by the defence team for Gregory Roberts, the man being tried for the 2017 murder of schoolgirl Shineka Gray, told the St James Circuit Court on Monday that DNA found on several items submitted for analysis did not conclusively match the defendant.
The witness, who was the second witness for the defence’s case, testified via the Zoom platform that DNA analysis was performed on a hair found on a condom that was recovered at the scene, and on a gold-coloured BLU cellular phone attributed to Gray.
“Analysis of the hair taken from the condom allegedly taken from the scene of crime revealed DNA results for the analysis that targets the total human DNA, consistent with a mixture of DNA from at least three individuals. The accused, Mario Morrison, cannot be excluded as being a major contributor to the DNA present on the hair taken from the condom,” the witness testified under questioning from defence attorney Leroy Equiano, while referencing Roberts’ former co-defendant Mario Morrison.
“The deceased, Shineka Gray, cannot be excluded as being a minor contributor to the mixture of DNA obtained from the hair. A third contributor is an unknown individual. The accused, Gregory Roberts, has been excluded as being a contributor to this mixture of DNA that was obtained from the hair taken from the condom,” the witness continued.
Four male DNA profiles
Regarding the DNA found on the cellular phone, the witness explained that four male DNA profiles were found on the device, but the results were inconclusive as to whether Roberts’ DNA was a match.
“The analysis that was done that targets only male DNA provided results that are consistent with having originated from at least four male individuals, of which the accused Mario Morrison cannot be excluded as being a contributor to this profile. It is also inconclusive to ascertain if the accused, Gregory Roberts, can or cannot be excluded as being a contributor to this mixture due to the absence of components or possible sharing of components with other contributors,” the witness told the court.
The court was also told that analysis of vaginal and anal swabs which were done on Gray produced no results.
Under cross-examination from lead prosecutor Andrea Martin-Swaby, the witness insisted that while it was possible for Roberts’ DNA to have similar components to those that were found on the phone, the analysis would still not be able to decisively match his DNA profile.
“There were components that were corresponding to his (Roberts) reference profile, but due to the limited nature of those components, and the possible sharing with other contributors – because it’s clear that there’s a contributor who is not Shineka Gray, Mario Morrison, or Gregory Roberts – consequently it was inconclusive to ascertain he was a contributor,” said the witness.
“But based on your own answer to the question, there were components that were consistent with the profile of Gregory Roberts?” asked Martin-Swaby.
“There were components that were consistent. However, it’s not unusual to have similar components between unrelated individuals,” the witness replied.
“So my question is, is it possible that Gregory Roberts would have been a contributor to the profile on the phone?” Martin-Swaby insisted.
“I am not sure, hence the statement ‘inconclusive’,” the witness maintained.
The witness’ testimony followed an earlier reading into evidence of a statement from another forensic officer regarding the chain of custody concerning the submission of items to include DNA swabs, blood samples from both Roberts and Morrison, and the recovered condom.
The trial continues on Tuesday morning, when the defence is expected to call another witness for its case in support of Roberts.
Gray, whose body was found with stab wounds in Irwin, St James, on February 1, 2017, was a grade 10 student of the Green Pond High School in St James, at the time of her death. She was last seen alive on her way home from the funeral of a schoolmate on January 29, 2017.