Two British DNA experts took the witness stand yesterday as the preliminary inquiry into the murder of Joanne Gaspard, elder sister of Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard, resumed in the San Fernando Magistrates' Court. The experts, Craig Davies and Emma Jayne Westacott, both of LGC Forensics, Birchwood Park, Worington, England, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington in the First Court.
Yesterday, lead Prosecutor Dana Seetahal SC tendered Davies and Westcott's statements and their DNA analysis findings into evidence. Vistabella residents Anthony Sankar, 26, and Marcus Gresham, 23, are charged with killing Joanne Gaspard on November 13, 2008. Attorney John Heath, who represents Gresham, briefly cross-examined Davies. After Westacott's statement was tendered and Seetahal, instructed by attorney Chris Selochan, indicated the expert was open for cross-examination.
Heath stood up and wished Westacott a "good day," as he indicated, he had no questions. Attorney Jason Jackson, who appeared for Sankar, was not present in court. The matter was adjourned to today. Gaspard, 36, died after she was allegedly thrown off the balcony of her three-storey home in San Fernando.