Forensics witness admits blood samples don’t match

THE JURY in the Clint Huggins murder trial heard yesterday that blood found on a pair of  shoes belonging to one of three men charged with the murder did not match the victim’s blood type.

Scientific Officer Emmanuel Walker testified that blood  found on blue and white track shoes was identified as blood group O while Clint’s blood group was B. This information was on a certificate of analysis tendered into evidence through Walker by defence attorney Osbourne Charles SC. The certificate also dealt with eight pieces of clothing and three other pairs of shoes.  State prosecutors Wayne Rajbansie and Natasha George had two other certificates of analysis admitted into evidence through Walker. One dealt with blood samples from Clint and the other dealt with a piece of rope, vegetation, moulding from the burnt car in which Clint’s body was found and a piece of asphalt. With the exception of the  rope, all the items were stained with blood which matched Clint’s blood group.

Also testifying was firearm expert Derek Sanker, who explained that between four and five  feet there is a variation between pellets and wadding from a cartridge when fired. Sanker, one of three witnesses recalled to the witness stand yesterday,  explained that when a bullet is discharged from a gun both bullet and the wadding from the bullet will travel in the same direction within four to five feet, but after that, the  bullet alone continues to its target.   Insp  Nadir Khan, who was recalled for further cross-examination, testified that he had spoken to Major Garcia of the Defence Force. He said he was told Clint Huggins’  personal items such as his watch and gold chain were handed over to his wife. Justice of the Peace Ackbar Khan, another witness to be recalled, denied there was any conversation about accused Junior “Heads” Phillip being granted immunity from prosecution while he  witnessed Phillip dictate a statement to Supt Stephen Quashie.

Phillip, Arnold Huggins and cousin Leslie Huggins, are before Justice Alice York Soo-Hon in the Port-of-Spain Third Criminal Court charged with the murder of Clint, the key witness in the murder trial of Dole Chadee and his gang, on February 20, 1996 at the Uriah Butler Highway, Mt Hope. Phillip is being defended by  Charles and Christilyn Moor, Leslie by Keith Scotland and Dawn Mohan, and Arnold by Ian Stuart Brook. Hearing continues today.