Charlotte Lafferty's DNA found on accused's shoe, belt buckle

Anexpert witness testified Thursday she found Charlotte Lafferty's DNA on items of clothing worn by the youth accused of killing her.

Lafferty, 23, was found beaten to death the morning of March 22, 2014, near Fort Good Hope's seniors' complex. The accused, who was 17 years old at the time of Lafferty's death, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. His name cannot be published under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The DNA expert told a Yellowknife jury she found Lafferty's DNA onone of the accused's shoesand in blood found onhis belt buckle.

Blood found in the accused's girlfriend's house also came from Lafferty, she said.

Afriend of the accused'smother alsotestified on Thursday. Shesaid the accused's mothertold her she had seenblood on her son's hands the morning Lafferty was murdered.

In her own testimony earlier this week, the accused's mother denied seeing any blood on her son or in her house that morning.

The trial continues Friday and is expected to wrap up next week.