IT is 2,500 times more likely that alleged killer Matthew Hamlen’s DNA was found on a rolling pin used to beat a Hampshire grandmother to death than a stranger with a similar profile, a court heard.
That was the figure given to murder trial jurors by a leading world expert in statistics after he was asked to determine the likelihood that it could be the suspected murderer or someone completely unknown and unrelated to Hamlen.
Professor David Balding was giving expert evidence at Winchester Crown Court concerning the brutal killing of 77-year-old Georgina Edmonds in Brambridge near Eastleigh in January 2008.
A fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, Prof Balding was asked to examine a minor DNA profile extracted from the murder weapon.
He said it was fair to say it was 2,500 times more likely to be Hamlen’s DNA found on the marble rolling pin.
Prof Balding was the last live witness to be called by prosecutor Michael Bowes QC, who has now closed his case against Hamlen, who he has claimed tortured and battered Mrs Edmonds to death in the kitchen of her cottage.
The jury has been told the case will resume on January 3.
Hamlen, 33, of Hamilton Road, Bishopstoke, denies murder.
Proceeding
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