Forensic evidence highlights turbulent interactions between victim and accused in David Yates murder trial

Forensic evidence and a suicide attempt by the accused was the focus Thursday in the David Yates murder trial. Nick Paparella reports.

Early in the trial, dozens of disturbing images showing the badly beaten body of Caitlin Jennings, 22, were shown to the court by the Crown.

Her body would be discovered by London police inside a home at 562 Kingsway Ave. in west London on July 5, 2023.

On Thursday, Det. Const. Stephen Robertson testified about photos taken of the accused, 53-year-old David Yates, minutes after his arrest.

The Crown claims that after Caitlin died, Yates attempted suicide and drove himself to the hospital.

The officer said several photos show, “He’s wearing a hospital bracelet...a photo of his left hand shows gauze wrapped around the wrist.”

In other photos he said, “On Mr. Yates’ left foot there’s significant injuries. There [are] sutures and blood.”

Once in custody, Yates, who was Jennings’ one-time boyfriend, is charged with second-degree murder. He has pled not guilty.

An autopsy revealed that Jennings died from multiple blunt force trauma injuries.

Later in the day, forensic digital evidence from a cellphone seized from Yates was discussed. Once Kim Seward, a digital forensic officer, got a hold of Yates’ iPhone 13 Pro Max, she started downloading information.

In and around the time of the killing she testified, “The iPhone user was searching something pertaining to suicide,” adding, “A search on Safari by the device user showing different arteries of the body.”

During cross-examination, defence lawyer Cassandra DeMelo brought forward other images that were captured weeks before the murder on the cellphone which showed Jennings and the accused in violent physical confrontations with yelling and screaming going on.

In one capture, Jennings could be seen walking abruptly walking away from the house.

With the Crown’s case winding down this week the defence is expected to start with its evidence on Monday.