The Keith Clarke murder trial resumed in the presence of a seven-member jury Thursday in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston as prosecutors managed to pin down one of their witnesses- a forensic expert- to have her give evidence on blood spatter which she found inside the accountant’s master bedroom where he was shot and killed by members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

“Keith Clarke could have been injured whilst in an upright position,” the retired forensic scientist said during examination in chief.

Three soldiers, lance corporals Greg Tingling and Odel Buckley, as well as Private Arnold Henry, are being tried for murder in relation to Clarke’s shooting death at his house at 18 Kirkland Close in Red Hills, St Andrew.

The military and the police had gone to Clarke’s house in search of then fugitive-druglord, Christopher “Dudus” Coke and some of his cronies who were believed to be hiding out there.

It is alleged that Clarke took up an ambush position on top of the closet, as members of the military broke down the door to his master bedroom to gain entry. Clarke, who was a licensed firearm holder, was said to have had his gun with him while on top of the closet.

According to his widow, Dr Claudette Clarke, he was shot as he attempted to climb down from on top of the closet with his back turned when the soldiers entered the room. Clarke was shot more than 20 times, including in his back.

The forensic expert told the court that based on evidence, the scene appeared to have been disturbed.

She made this observation in October 2010 when she first visited the scene, which was five months after Clarke was killed. According to her, she witnessed a form of stain that indicated that there could have been an attempt to clean up. She highlighted that blood on the floor inside the room was disturbed.

She also confirmed that DNA belonging to a male, other than Clarke was found inside the house in the basement area.

The trial continues on Monday.

– Jason Cross