Video-taped testimony of DNA expert to feature as Oland trial continues

Testimony is set to continue at the Oland murder trial on Tuesday, with the testimony of a DNA expert set to dominate the morning’s proceedings.

The testimony of Joy Kearsey of the Halifax RCMP will be shown via video recorded during the first trial of Dennis Oland for the second-degree murder of his father Richard Oland.

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Dennis Oland was charged with the killing in 2013 and convicted in a jury trial in 2015. However, the verdict was overturned on appeal in 2016, due to an error in the judge’s charge to the jury, and the new trial was ordered.

Both the Crown and defence have agreed to use videotaped testimony when possible.

WATCH: Oland trial continues to focus on cellphone use

1:31 Oland trial continues to focus on cellphone use

Tuesday saw Kensey provide a crash course of what DNA is and how it is used in criminal investigations, including how DNA profiles are built and compared and how DNA evidence is gathered.

Wednesday is set to begin with a voir dire. John Ainsworth, who was working beneath Richard Oland’s office on the day he was killed, is set to testify in the afternoon.

Ainsworth has told police he heard loud thumps coming from the office around 7:30 pm, testimony that contradicts the Crown’s argument that Dennis Oland is responsible for the killing.

Security cameras across town captured Dennis Oland at 7:30 p.m., with the Defence arguing that meant he could not have been in the office making those sounds.

Kearsey’s videotaped testimony is set to finish on Thursday, with the remaining two and a half hours of testimony to include an analysis of the DNA found on Dennis Oland’s brown jacket.

The court has previously heard that blood spots were detected on the jacket Dennis Oland wore the day his father was killed.

The current trial, before judge alone, is expected to conclude by mid-March. The judge is then expected to take at least two months to render a verdict.

— With files from The Canadian Press