MAGNOTTA TRIAL: Biologist found victim's blood all over apartment

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October 14, 2014 - 9:19 AM

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MONTREAL — A forensic biologist has told the jury in Luka Rocco Magnotta's first-degree murder trial that after watching a so-called murder video, she was able to know where to look for blood stains that turned out to be Jun Lin's.

Jacinthe Prevost said she watched the video twice — once before entering Magnotta's apartment for the first time and once before examining the evidence.

Prevost examined blood stains found throughout the apartment and on exhibits seized by police at the crime scene.

The jury has not yet seen the video but has been told of its existence.

"They (investigators) told me what it was briefly and they asked if I wanted to see it and I said 'yes'," she testified Tuesday.

Prevost described what she could remember of the video: a body lying prone on a bed and someone wearing a hoodie who appears to be stabbing the victim with a sharp object.

Later, there is an attempt to masturbate using a severed right arm as well as anal penetration on a mutilated corpse.

Prevost said a small black dog can be seen chewing on a severed limb while, in other sequences, there were various images of a severed arm in the freezer.

She said she was struck by how few items were found in the bachelor apartment.

"The apartment was empty, it was a semi-furnished with no personal effects," Prevost said.

Magnotta, 32, has pleaded not guilty to five charges in Lin's murder and dismemberment in late May 2012.

Magnotta has admitted to the acts he's accused of in Lin's death, but is arguing he is not criminally responsible by way of mental disorder.

Prevost told the jury she also examined some 94 exhibits as part of her report and found the DNA of two people at the scene: Lin's and that of an individual later identified as Magnotta.

Some of the blood had been diluted, probably in an effort to clean up the apartment.

Prevost said diluted blood doesn't offer a full genetic profile, but it provided enough information to identify it as being Lin's. Traces were found in the kitchen, bathroom and near the bed.

She told the jury where in the apartment the victim was struck given the shape of the blood stains on some surfaces.

Earlier on Tuesday, the jury heard from the first patrol officer to enter the apartment to look for other victims or a possible suspect.

"Once I entered...I was struck by a strong chemical smell, it was mixed with the smell of a cadaver," Peter D'Avola said, adding it was something he'd never experienced before.

D'Avola said he didn't find anyone inside the unit, but found visible red substances he believed to be blood in certain places.

The charges against Magnotta are first-degree murder; criminally harassing Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other members of Parliament; mailing obscene and indecent material; committing an indignity to a body; and publishing obscene materials.

FORENSIC BIOLOGIST TESTIFIES AS LUKA ROCCO MAGNOTTA TRIALS HITS DAY 10

MONTREAL - The jury in Luka Rocco Magnotta's first-degree murder trial is hearing from a forensic biologist who examined stains found inside the accused's apartment and other exhibits gathered at the crime scene.

Jacinthe Prevost says she watched a so-called murder video before conducting her search through the apartment for blood and other elements.

The 32-year-old Magnotta has pleaded not guilty to five charges in the murder and dismemberment of Chinese engineering student Jun Lin in late May 2012.

Prevost told the jury today she also examined some 94 exhibits as part of her report and found the DNA of two people at the scene: Lin's and that of an individual later identified as Magnotta.

Magnotta has admitted to the acts he's accused of in Lin's death, but is arguing he is not criminally responsible by way of mental disorder.

Earlier today, the jury heard from the first patrol officer to enter the apartment to look for other victims or a possible suspect. Peter D'Avola said he was struck by a chemical odour emanating from inside.

"Once I entered...I was struck by a strong chemical smell, it was mixed with the smell of a cadaver," D'Avola said, adding it was something he'd never experienced before.

D'Avola said he didn't find anyone inside the unit, but found visible red substances he believed to be blood in certain places in the apartment.