The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

AS THE Marco Archer murder trial continued yesterday an analyst testified that Tryphemia Ferguson, whose blood was subjected to a DNA profile, cannot be excluded as the biological mother of a male subject whose liver sample was also profiled.

Before Marisa Roe, forensic manager of Fairfax Identity Laborities, could answer to the prosecution’s question concerning the probability of Ferguson being the mother of the subject, attorney Geoffrey Farquharson strongly objected to the what she would reveal on the basis that it would constitute “unethical” behaviour considering her occupation.

Justice Bernard Tuner told Kofhe Goodman’s attorney he would have his opportunity to cross-examine the witness.

Ms Roe went on to say that there was a 99.43 per cent probability that Ferguson was a biological relative of the male profile identified in the liver sample.

Kofhe Goodman, 37, of Yorkshire Drive, faces a murder charge, which he denies. It is claimed that between September 23 and 28, 2011, he caused the death of Marco Archer, 11, who disappeared from Brougham Street and was found dead days later.

Goodman is represented by Mr Farquharson.

Garvin Gaskin, deputy director of public prosecutions, Neil Braithwaite and Darell Taylor are prosecuting the case, which began on April 19.

In yesterday’s proceedings, Ms Roe was called to the witness stand. However, her evidence was objected to by the defence, which claimed documentation regarding the witness’ evidence was not provided.

The objection was overruled and Roe was allowed to give testimony concerning her qualifications and her findings on items she received on three occasions – in October 2011, November 2011 and March 2012 – from the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Mr Farquharson objected several times during the testimony, saying there was no documentation to prove the witness is an expert in her field.

He also claimed her evidence of receiving shipments from the RBPF was hearsay.

Mr Farquharson also objected to the report that was presented in court, which he said was a photocopy and not original, an observation which Roe confirmed.

Mr Gaskin cited law allowing the photocopy and the judge overruled the objection.

Roe went on to give her findings on two of the samples that had been analysed.

The witness said a liver sample (#01) was noted as being male, and a blood sample from Tryphemia Ferguson (#04) came from a female.

The trial resumes today. Roe will continue her evidence.