Barbara Gayle, Staff ReporterA POLICE photographer testified yesterday at the Braeton murder trial that he saw what appeared to be bullet holes on windows, walls and doors of the house.
Detective Inspector Victor Mendez, who is attached to the photographic unit of the Criminal Investigation Branch, said he went to the crime scene at 1088 Fifth Seal Way, Braeton, at about 8.30 a.m. on March 14, 2001.
BLOOD STAINS
He said he also saw what appeared to be blood stains on the wall in the living room and what appeared to be blood mixed with water on the floor. The water was flowing from a pipe in the bathroom.
Detective Inspector Mendez was testifying at the trial of the six policemen charged with the murder of seven young men in a house in Braeton, St. Catherine, on March 14, 2001.
He said when he went to the crime scene at about 8.30 a.m. on March 14, 2001 he was given instructions by senior officers and he took photographs. A total of 59 photographs were tendered in evidence and shown to the 12-member jury.
Detective Inspector Mendez said he saw soot around what appeared to be a bullet hole in a curtain in front of a window and that window had bullet holes in it.
He said the front door and the back door of the house had what appeared to be bullet holes in them. There were also bullet indentations on the walls of the house. Under cross-examination he said it appeared that the bullet holes in the back door were fired from inside the house.
INCONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE
Detective Inspector Mendez said there was no damage to the lock on the back door and there was no blood in the pathway or drive way to the house. He said when he arrived at the premises a number of civilians were within the vicinity of the house. He said he could not say if the crime scene was contaminated.
The trial continues on Monday before Mr. Justice Donald McIntosh and the jury in the Home Circuit Court.
