Man accused of manslaughter of Derby dad Johnny Assani - trial latest

DNA of a man accused of manslaughter found on his alleged victim does not prove there was direct contact between the two men, a jury heard today.

The forensic evidence came out today on the third day of Mohammed Tariq’s trial. The 26-year-old, of Walbrook Road, Derby, denies the manslaughter of Johnny Assani, who lived in Pear Tree, Derby.

Mr Assani, 43, died the day after being attacked by a group of at least nine men in Walbrook Road on August 14 last year.

Tariq’s brothers, Mohammed Shahid and Mohammed Rafiq, have already been convicted of killing Mr Assani.

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But Tariq has not been tried until now because “he went to ground” after the attack, the jury at Nottingham Crown Court heard.

Earlier today, forensic scientist Stephen Harrington said there was a one-in-a-billion chance that DNA found under a fingernail on Mr Assani’s right hand was not Tariq’s or one of his relatives. He added that it did not match the DNA profiles of Tariq’s brothers.

Mr Harrington agreed with Tariq’s lawyer, Peter Birkett, that the find did not “exclusively establish direct contact between them” but could have been transferred to Mr Assani through a surface that Tariq had previously touched.

Mr Birkett suggested this could have been through an item of clothing that one of his convicted brothers had worn.

Mr Harrington said DNA could be transferred through garments.

When asked by prosecuting barrister, Peter Joyce QC, if “direct contact between the two men” would be the obvious method of transfer, Mr Harrington said:

“Yes.”

The trial continues.