Pynn-Butler trial: Jury hears about forensic evidence collected at scene
Forensic evidence found at the St. John's house where Nick Winsor was shot to death in July 2011 was the subject of scrutiny at Supreme Court on Monday.
Philip Pynn, 28, and Lyndon Butler, 24, are being tried for the second-degree murder of Winsor and the attempted murder of Tom "Billy" Power on July 9, 2011.
On Monday, Sgt. Lester Parsons of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary told jurors about his role was in the investigation, including preparing a report on the footwear impressions found in the garage was Winsor's body was found and collecting evidence at 271 Portugal Cove Rd.
Parsons said it was determined that footwear impressions found in blood on the garage floor came from three separate shoes.
During the investigation, Parsons said footwear belonging to Power, Pynn and Butler were seized.
Parsons testified that while there were similar characteristics between Pynn's shoes and the impressions found at the crime scene, Parsons could not say the prints were made by those shoes.
The officers also went over the process that was taken in the days following Winsor's death and Pynn's and Butler's subsequent arrest.
Samples taken from Pynn's and Power's hands and face were taken to test for gunshot residue but were never sent to the lab because too much time had lapsed between when Winsor was shot and when the tests were taken.
The RNC did, however, send away Butler's sneakers, two cigarette butts found on the property, a swab of a light switch in the garage, a DNA sample from Winsor and Power, and a floor mat from Lyndon Butler's car for testing.
A wad and pellets from a shotgun were sent to a lab, as well as sunglasses and a baseball hat found inside the garage the night of Winsor's death.
During cross-examination, defence lawyer Mark Gruchy, who's representing Pynn, questioned why the shoe impression left on Winsor's jacket wasn't sent away for analysis.
"I have no explanation," Parsons said.
Gruchy asked Parsons if he thought he should have sent the print away. "Having a look at it now ... why not?" Parsons said.
Parsons testified that the print left on Winsor's chest is similar to the pattern on Power's shoes. However, Parsons could not say whether or not it was a match.
None of the impressions found at the scene were consistent with two pairs of sneakers seized from Butler.
Follow our live blog for updates from the courtroom.
