Prosecutors narrowed in on DNA proof on day seven of Brian Walshe’s trial, with witnesses detailing the method of analyzing samples from blood-stained slippers to a hacksaw and hatchet.
“The DNA profile from this item is at least 30 nanillion times more likely if it originated from Ana Walshe than if it originated from an unknown, unrelated individual, and this provides support for inclusion of Ana Walshe to this DNA profile,” mentioned Salman Saleem, forensic scientist 3 within the DNA unit on the Massachusetts State Police crime lab, talking of a stained space on the blade of a hacksaw.
Forensic specialists spoke to the prolonged strategy of DNA assortment and evaluation on Tuesday in Norfolk Superior Court docket, the place Brian Walshe stands trial on expenses he killed his spouse earlier than dismembering and disposing of her physique in January 2023.
Brian Walshe pleaded responsible to mendacity to investigators when Ana Walshe first disappeared and mishandling her stays forward of his trial. Nevertheless, the protection has claimed she died of “sudden unexplained death,” and the husband coated up her demise in worry of dropping custody of his youngsters.
With out a physique, prosecutors through the trial have turned to blood and different forensic proof for particulars of her demise.
Witnesses testified Tuesday that proof helps the conclusion that Ana’s DNA was discovered on a number of objects.
These included stained darkish gray slippers, a number of spots and stains on a Tyvek swimsuit — a light-weight, disposable coverall utilized in actions like portray or cleanup — unknown tissue present in a Swampscott dumpster, samples of a crimson brown stain on the homes’ basement ground, the blade and deal with of a hacksaw, a towel with crimson brown stains, stained hairs, a rug with crimson brown stains, and a hatchet.
A state trooper beforehand testified a number of of the objects, together with the Tyvek swimsuit, hatchet and hacksaw, have been present in a Swampscott dumpster and trash compactor, the place Walshe’s telephone had been tracked to.
Brian Walshe’s DNA may very well be confirmed on a number of objects as properly, Saleem testified. Proof of his DNA may very well be discovered on a spot on the Tyvek swimsuit and a bit of tape with gauze and a crimson brown stain, she mentioned.
Protection legal professional Larry Tipton pushed again on the method of DNA assortment and identification, stirring doubt about how the DNA was deposited, whether or not different DNA may very well be current and extra.
“Based on all of your observations of the data and the results here, once again, you can’t say how any of the biological material was deposited on any of these items, correct?” Tipton mentioned.
“That’s correct,” Saleem answered.
“And you cannot tell the jury — and it’s the limitation of the DNA testing — you can’t tell when it was deposited correct?” Tipton continued, earlier than Saleem mentioned appropriate.
“For instance, if there is a particular object, like a tool, let’s say a hatchet, you cannot tell from your DNA testing if that hatchet actually ever came into contact with the biological material –” Tipton started earlier than the prosecution objected.
The prosecution ended the day by calling the district loss prevention supervisor for Dwelling Items within the space and taking part in extra movies of Brian Walshe showing to purchase extra objects, like a rug and a shower mat, within the days after his spouse went lacking.
The video proof follows a number of related movies proven on day six, together with ones showing to point out the suspect buy objects like a mop, painters buckets, rags, three 64-ounce bottles of ammonia, and 5 bottles of hydrogen peroxide within the first days of January 2023.
The trial will resume Wednesday at 10 a.m.
