Louise Smith trial: Defence say teenager hit Shane Mays with stick in 'altercation'

Winchester Crown Court entered its seventh day of evidence in the murder trial where Mays, 30, is accused over the death of 16-year-old Louise, who was found dead in Havant Thicket.

During questioning of prosecution witness Edward Dowlman, a forensic scientist, it emerged part of Mays’ case alleges ‘that Louise picked up a stick and hit Mr Mays and that he took it from her,’ prosecutor James Newton-Price QC said.

Jurors were hearing about mixed DNA profiles on a stick. The stick had DNA from Louise, Mays and his wife Chazlynn Mays, the court heard.

Statistical analysis shows it’s one billion times more likely to be Louise’s rather than three unknown people, Mr Dowlman said.

And it’s 38m times more likely to be from Shane Mays and Louise Smith rather than from Louise and two unknown people, the forensic scientist adds.

It is 150 times more likely that CJ (Chazlynn Mays) is a contributor than not. Jurors were previously told there is ‘no evidence’ to place CJ outside Ringwood House on May 8, the day of Louise’s death.

Andrew Langdon QC asked if the defendant’s DNA profile on it could have come about if it was used in ‘an altercation’ between Louise and Mays.

Mr Dowlman agreed.

Under re-examination from the prosecutor, Mr Dowlman repeated it was possible but added he said: ‘His DNA could have also been deposited on the stick in other ways.’

Earlier jurors were shown Mays’ left white Adidas trainer with blood staining.

Mr Dowlman said it is a ‘billion times more likely that the blood staining originated from Louise Smith rather than another unrelated individual’.

There is a ‘minor profile’ of Mays’ DNA, consistent with it being his shoe, the court heard.

Aspiring veterinary nurse Louise went missing on May 8 and her body was found on May 21.

Mays, of Ringwood House, Somborne Drive, Leigh Park – where Louise was living – admits manslaughter but denies burning or defiling her body.

Jurors were told today Mays was arrested on suspicion of murder at Holiday Inn in Farlington on May 27.

CJ was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

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When questioned Mays gave a prepared statement that said: ‘I’ve been arrested on suspicion of murder and I strongly deny this allegation. I’ve no involvement in the murder of Louise Smith. This is all I wish to say at present.’

He is asked a series of questions during the 89-minute interview but did not answer any, prosecution junior Andrew Houston said.

These include asking if Mays was ‘looking to get rid of the evidence’ when he went out in the evening of May 8, and why search when it was ‘effectively pointless’.

He was also asked: ‘Did you get angry? Did that spill over?’

Mays was asked if there was a third party involved.

There was no answer to any of the questions.

Mays has previously admitted killing Louise by repeatedly punching the teenager.

(Proceeding)

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