Physical fit of crucifix and DNA evidence link suspect to Murder Victim

The body of pensioner, Ann Butler was discovered in a mutilated state five days after she had been beaten, stabbed and had her throat slit, while a large piece of cardboard was also found in the back of her mouth. The body was identified by DNA profiling using a sample donated by the putative daughter of the deceased.

The suspect Trevor Rowe, identified himself to An Garda Síochána through trace back of three anonymous 999 calls. Although Trevor Rowe made some admissions that he had killed a woman at an address in Kilkenny, he refused to say why. By his own admission it was a brutal attack. A DNA profile matching Trevor Rowe’s was recovered from a drinking vessel at the home of the pensioner along with a wooden cross.

Following a technical examination of the home of Trevor Rowe, a pair of bloodstained gloves and a Jesus statue were recovered. The DNA profile from the bloodstaining matched that of Ann Butler’s.

The Jesus figure from Trevor Rowe’s residence and the wooden cross from Ann Butler’s residence were examined to determine if they were originally from the same Crucifix unit. Staining on the Jesus figure and wooden cross was examined and it matched with regard to colour, appearance, microscopic characteristics and chemical composition. Holes on the wooden cross aligned with holes in the Jesus figure, and this finding, in addition to the correlating locations of the matching staining on both, provided extremely strong support that the wooden cross and Jesus figure were originally from the same crucifix unit rather than not.

A jury took just one hour and 19 minutes to unanimously reject a defence of intoxication put forward by Trevor Rowe, who said that the amount of drink and drugs consumed by him that day had prevented him from forming an intent to kill or cause serious injury to Ms Butler. Trevor Rowe was found guilty of the murder of Ann Butler in her own home.