Devin Morningstar's trial hears from RCMP blood expert

Baylee Wylie's blood and that of another male were found on the sweatpants of Devin Morningstar, a Moncton murder trial heard Monday.

RCMP Sgt. Adrian Butler testified about blood evidence found at the scene of the 18-year-old's death last December in the first-degree murder trial of Devin Morningstar, 19.

Wylie's body was found after a fire was put out in a unit of a triplex on Sumac Street in Moncton. 

The trial heard testimony last week Wylie had multiple wounds — as many as 200 — and was dead before the fire started.

"In cases where there's this much fire and water damage, it's difficult to interpret very much at the scene," said Butler.

Wylie's blood was found on the floor and walls in the basement of a triplex unit, as well as on the wall and stairs leading to the kitchen from the basement, Butler testified.

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In addition to Wylie's blood, Butler identified blood stains with DNA identified as "male 1," "male 2", and "female 1" in various parts of the unit.

Morningstar is one of three people charged with first-degree murder in Wylie's death. Marissa Shepard and Tyler Noel will have separate trials.

Butler believes the main bloodletting event was in a corner of the basement.

A mop and tissues in the kitchen were used in an attempt to clean up blood, he said.

DNA matching that of Wylie and "male 2" was found in blood stains on Morningstar's sweat pants. But Wylie's blood was not found on other articles of clothing seized from Morningstar.

Butler said under cross-examination that the sweat pants did not have a large quantity of blood on them.

Butler found two faint blood stains on underwear seized from Morningstar. The DNA from that blood matches "male 2," said Butler.

Blood from "male 2" was also found on a black T-shirt seized from Morningstar, he said.

No prints in car

Cpl. Margo Estabrooks testified she examined a Hyundai Elantra in the days following Wylie's death to look for hairs, fingerprints and other clues. She said a reddish stain was found on the middle seatbelt in the rear seat of the vehicle, as well as a red stain in the passenger seat area.

Morningstar's fingerprints were not found inside the Elantra, Estabrooks testified under cross-examination.

Estabrooks also testified that a fishing line and lure were found on Wylie's left toe area.

A fishing rod was found in the basement of the triplex.

The jury trial before Justice John Walsh in the Court of Queen's Bench is expected to last five weeks.