David Bain trial: Laniet Bain shot three times, court told

David Bain in court. Pool photo

Laniet Bain had blood on the inside of both partially-closed fists and three bullet wounds were found on her head, the retrial of her brother David Bain was told at the High Court in Christchurch today.

Live and used ammunition was found in the blood-splattered bedroom of Laniet after she and four of her family were shot dead, a court has heard.

The High Court in Christchurch today heard from police officers who studied the bedroom and body of Laniet Bain, sister to David Bain, who stands accused of murdering her and four other members of his family.

The Crown prosecutors say David Bain, now 36, shot dead his parents and three siblings with his .22 rifle, but his defence team argue it was his father Robin who killed his family before turning the rifle on himself on June 20, 1994.

Detective Stephen Murray was a member of the police investigating the deaths, and told the court today he found Laniet lying flat on her back in her bed, with a duvet pulled up to about chest height.

Her left arm was outside the duvet and lying by her side. Her head was angled to the right.

Hayley Stewart, then a police constable in Dunedin, said there was one bullet wound to Laniet's left cheek, a second about above her left ear, and a third wound on top of her head. Blood had run down her face and neck.

Blood was also found in her partially closed hands, and on the bedding and splattered on a window in the room.

She was wearing a white cotton top, black knit pants and black woollen socks under the duvet.

Mr Murray said four live or spent .22 ammunition rounds were found in Laniet's bedroom.

A spent .22 cartridge was found on a writing desk in the room, while another was lying on an apron on the floor. One live bullet was lying on a black jersey on the floor next the bed, while a second was sitting on a book in a black canvas bag on the floor.

Detective Jenepher Glover said another .22 shell was lying on the floor near the bedspread.

Four pillows at the end of the bed were bloodied, Ms Glover said.

Lead fragments were found on Laniet's pillow and on a leather jacket on a chair in the room. A blood smear was also found on a light switch in the room.
Ms Glover said a full-length mirror and a doll's house in Laniet's bedroom also appeared to be splattered with blood.

Ms Stewart said she also examined the kitchen in the Bain house and found a lot of rotten food and dirty dishes piled up.

The trial is in its third week, and expected to last at least three months.