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COURTROOM UPDATE - 6/16/08: Gun shot residue found on Rachel's hands

posted at 4:30 p.m.: The only non-visible gun shot residue found during the Entwistle murder investigation was found on Rachel Entwistle's hands, a chemist said today.

Massachusetts State Police chemist John Drugan said that means Rachel Entwistle eithered fired a gun, handled a gun or was near a gun that had been fired.

Drugan also testified several items tested inside the couple's BMW found at Logan Airport, including Neil Entwistle's keys and a shirt found in the vehicle, tested negative for gun shot residue.

Trooper Stephen Walsh, a ballistics expert, also testified.

He said a bullet was recovered from Rachel Entwistle's chest, as were two small bullet fragments.

Of the guns confiscated from Rachel Entwistle's stepfather, Joe Matterazzo, only the .22 caliber Colt Revolver could have shot the bullet recovered from the woman's body.

The bullet also could not be linked conclusively to the gun prosecutors say Entwistle used to kill his wife and daughter.

The two fragments were too damaged to be linked to any gun, Walsh said.

posted at 1:40 pm: Neil Entwistle's lawyer, Elliot Weinstein, questioned a state police chemist on how unbiased the murder investigation was.

"You were open-minded to what you may find?" Weinstein asked. Chemist Deanna Dygan said that was correct.

Weinstein pointed out that she wrote Entwistle's name in the suspect box on her crime sheet form on Jan. 23, 2006, before she even began collecting evidence at 6 Cubs Path.

"And that colored your thinking through this investigation, didn't it?" Weinstein asked.

Dygan said, "No, it did not."

"Well, let's find out," the lawyer said.

Under cross examination, the chemist admitted no tests were done at the house for non-visible blood.

Dygan also said no tests were done to see how far vaporous gunshot residue traveled out of the alleged murder weapon, a .22 Colt revolver. On Friday she said vaporous residue usually travels no more than 18 inches.

Also, she said, none of her tests can say who fired the guns or from what angle. Bullet trajectory tests were not conducted at the home.

Prosecutor Michael Fabbri is expected to ask Dygan more questions after the lunch break on re-direct.

Posted at 11:36 a.m.: WOBURN - Lillian Rose Entwistle was shot by a gun pressed directly against her, a state police chemist said today in Middlesex Superior Court. 

Chemist Deanne Dygan, continuing her testimony in the Neil Entwistle double murder trial, said evidence collected at 6 Cubs Path, Hopkinton, showed that the baby's wound was a "contact wound."

Dygan said a contact wound is caused by a gun being pressed against something.

Also, Dygan said semen cells were found inside Rachel Entwistle's panties and on her shirt. She said no semenal fluid was found.

In court, Rachel Entwistle's shirt and panties, as well as Lillian Rose's pajamas and one-piece outfit were displayed.

Many of the items were covered with blood. When the items were displayed, Neil Entwistle's mother, Yvonne sobbed loudly.

Entwistle himself appeared to be crying, and was wiping his eyes with tissue. When some of the items were displayed, Entwistle appeared to avert his gaze.