David Bain trial: Week in summary

Monday, April 6

The court hears from a pathologist how David Bain's brother Stephen likely fought his killer even after a bullet was fired through his hand and across his head.

Dr Alexander Dempster says Stephen, 14, was "effectively strangled" with his own T-shirt before another gunshot killed him. Other members of the family could have survived for short periods after they were shot, Dr Dempster says.

Detective Jacques Legros tells the court he never saw his colleague, Detective Sergeant Milton Weir, plant evidence in the Bain house after the allegation is made by Bain's lawyers.

Mr Legros says he would have had no problem reporting such an act, and he did not think Mr Weir would stoop that low.

Tuesday, April 7

Dr Dempster gives his opinion that it is unlikely that David Bain's father Robin, 58, shot himself with the .22 rifle found next to his body, but not impossible.

The gunshot wound in Robin Bain's left temple was "very unusual" for a self-inflicted wound, he says.

Dr Dempster gives demonstrations to the court of how he found it difficult or impossible to support the rifle with his arms against his left temple, and pull the trigger.

He agrees with defence lawyer, Michael Reed, QC, that if blood found on Robin's body, that has since been destroyed, could have been proven under modern methods to be that of Stephen for example, it would dramatically change his theories on what happened.

Wednesday, April 8

Dr Dempster concedes to Bain's defence team that several methods illustrated in photographs show how Robin Bain could have easily caused the fatal gunshot wound to himself.

Mr Reed raises the issue of a misfired bullet found near Robin's body. Dr Dempster agrees that it would be unlikely that Robin would not get out of the way if David Bain had misfired and was trying to reload the rifle.

Mr Reed foreshadows evidence from several defence experts, including Robert Chapman, the pathologist from Britain who carried out an autopsy on the body of Princess Diana.

The court has a prolonged break as one juror breaks down in tears.

Friday, April 10

No court sitting.

The trial restarts at 10am on Wednesday.