Blood found in home of accused likely that of murder victim found in barrel

A forensic scientist told a London courtroom on Thursday that the victim could not be excluded as the source of DNA found in Bourget's apartment.

A forensic scientist who examined blood recovered from the apartment of the accused told a London courtroom on Thursday that the victim, Grant Norton could not be excluded as the source of DNA.

James Morrow testified that he tested the blood stains found on a blade of a hatchet, a baseball bat and the ceiling of the apartment of the accused, 40-year-old Ashley Bourget.

031925_Ashley Bourget, Norton murder trial, accused Ashley Morgan Bourget of London, Ont. (Source: Ash Bourget / Facebook)

The body of 59-year-old Norton was found stuffed in a plastic barrel down a ravine near Jacqueline and Ada Streets in July 2020, not far from where the accused lived.

The court has heard that Bourget and Norton were both known to each other in London’s drug subculture.

Bourget has pled not guilty to first degree murder.

032525_LPS Norton homicide investigation File - A London police cruiser is seen outside of Bourget's apartment, July 2020 (CTV News London)