Latest From Demesne Road Murder Trial

Prosecution Nearing Close

With the Demesne Road murder trial now in its second week it’s thought the prosecution will conclude their evidence in the next few days.

Today started with Forensic Scientist Stephen Andrews delivering his final findings of the evidence he was given to run tests on.

A number of possessions belonging to defendent Simon Paul  Leece and the sink taken from his bed sit were tested for traces of paint thinner, the substance it’s thought was used to accelerate the spread of the fire that killed 61 year old builder Terry Losh last March.

The tests came back negative for the thinner, but Mr Andrews said there is a chance that if it had been poured down the sink the water that subsequently went down the plughole could have erased any trace.

Before today’s lunch break the first ten pages of the police interview transcripts were read out, in it the jury heard how Leece, who denies all charges, had gone out for a walk on the night of the fire to clear his head after drinking wine, he claimed to have no recollection of the specific streets he was on.

He also said the first he knew about the fires was hearing it through local media on the Monday morning.

After the transcripts have been read out it will be the turn of the defence.