Exclusive:Forensic conclusions provide twist in murder trial after Joanna Derkacz's body examined for DNA
Stephen Sexton has denied murdering and raping Joanna Derkacz.
DNA on the body of a woman found dead in her home offers “inconclusive” evidence about what happened when she died, a jury has been told.
Stephen Sexton, 38, is on trial accused of the murder of Joanna Derkacz, as well as rape, and controlling or coercive behaviour. The 37-year-old was found dead at the couple’s home in Nevinson Way, Waterlooville on December 28, 2023. Sexton denies the charges.
At Portsmouth Crown Court today (Wednesday, July 8), the trial has turned its attention back to DNA evidence, via swabs taken from Joanna, her clothes and the bed she was found dead in. While the prosecution is attempting to prove that Sexton raped Joanna - either before or in the moments after she died - Jodie Mittell KC, representing Sexton, has argued that the evidence is “inconclusive”.
That is the same finding reached by forensics expert Ruth Shackel, who examined all the DNA from swabs taken during a post-mortem. A trace amount of semen was found in an ‘intimate’ area of Joanna’s body, with seminal fluid also found in the Adidas trousers she was wearing at the time of her death.
Ms Mittell argued that without being able to prove when Joanna’s trousers were last washed, there is no indication of when the seminal fluid ended up on them.
Appearing via video link, Ms Shackel said: “All I can say about the semen on the trousers is that it would have been deposited since it had last been washed.”
Swabs were also taken from the duvet and bedsheet, but no traces of semen were found. In her report, she came to the conclusion that the finding was “inconclusive” as to whether Sexton had sexual intercourse with Joanna around the time of her death.
Ms Mittell said: “The presence of semen cannot be found on the duvet or bedsheet. So it wasn’t sent for DNA sampling because ou didn’t even find any evidence of semen in the first place.
“The absence of semen means there was likely no ejaculation, at the very least. You cannot definitely say he did.
“From a scientific perspective, there might be another explanation for his DNA being found on her body, her clothes, and around the home which they shared.”
(Proceeding)