DNA evidence links Christopher Falconer to Amber Kirwan
Posted Jan 17, 2014 07:00:41 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
For the first time since the murder trial of Christopher Falconer began last week, physical evidence in the form of DNA has been presented that ties the accused to the murdered Amber Kirwan, but the evidence has raised new questions because it wasn’t just Kirwan’s and Falconer’s DNA found on the item.
An RCMP forensic expert testified yesterday that Kirwan’s DNA and that of the accused were found on a piece of clothing recovered during the police investigation; a tank top found by investigators inside a bag on the back seat of Falconer’s car.
Thomas Suzanski says it’s the only piece of evidence that shows DNA from both Kirwan and Christopher Falconer, who is facing a charge of first-degree murder.
Witnesses who know falconer testified that he was often seen wearing similar, dark-coloured tank tops.
Crown attorney Bill Gorman tells Global News it’s a significant link.
“It’s another link in the chain, a significant number of links in the chain,” he says.
But cross examination revealed the shirt also had a third, unidentified person’s DNA on it.
Defence lawyer Mike Taylor says he has doubts about where the DNA came from, adding the DNA on the tank top could lead to the conclusion that someone else is involved.
“The key is there’s DNA from at least three people, in several spots there was DNA that certainly could not be attributed to Mr. Falconer,” he explains. “The shirt was found in a bag all nice and wrapped up sitting on the floor in the back of a car and no other DNA from her was found in that car at all.”
A half day of testimony is scheduled for today where more of Falconer’s friends and former girlfriends are expected to take the stand.
