The trial of two brothers accused of murdering a man found injured in a layby last July is continuing today.
Stephen Bennett, 53, and Edward Bennett, 47, have pleaded not guilty to murdering husband and father Mark Jones, who worked for HMRC.
Mr Jones, 43, was found with gunshot wounds in a layby on the A4059 in Mountain Ash on July 26 last year.
He died in hospital two months later.
On Thursday the trial heard from forensic scientist Dr Mandy Wood who was responsible for examining gun cartridges and gunshot residue.
She was given a box containing seven strips of 10 cartridges each, some Winchester and some Hilti cartridges, and gave evidence about different types of gunshot residue and the particles found in within those.
On Wednesday the jury heard a doctor gave permission for two police officers to carry out an interview with Mr Jones while he was in hospital.
The court also heard evidence from Ellen Davies – a former partner of Edward Bennett. She said they started dating about three weeks before the incident.
She gave a statement to police about what happened on the evening of July 26 and said Edward Bennett went to her house at around 7pm.
Ms Davies told officers: “He told me he was popping out and he wouldn’t be long.”
The court heard Edward Bennett returned to her house at around 8pm.
Asked if there was anything “unusual” about Edward Bennett when he came back, she said there was not. She confirmed he did not use her shower.
Ms Davies told the court he left her address at around midnight.
The court also heard from Beverley Jones, who has been in a relationship with Stephen Bennett for 22 years.
She gave a statement to police about what happened on Sunday, July 26, last year.
She said she saw both brothers in the house that evening.
The witness recalled Stephen Bennett leaving the house and said: “He wasn’t gone long.”
She recalled Edward Bennett leaving the house and said Stephen Bennett left soon afterwards, telling her he was going to the allotments.
The court heard the allotments are next to the River Taff, near their home on Masefield Way.
She told police her partner was “his usual self” when he got back.
The witness confirmed they both went to work the next day and agreed it was “business as usual” until Stephen Bennett was arrested by armed police on the Wednesday.
Both Stephen Bennett, from Masefield Way in Pontypridd , and Edward Bennett, from Station Terrace in Penrhiwceiber, deny murder.
Short break
Mr Davies has finished giving his evidence.
There will be a 10-minute break before the next witness, consultant Mohammad Zia, is called.
Witness asked about 'affair'
Mr Griffiths asked Mr Davies if he knew anything about a “long-standing affair” Mr Jones had with a local woman or whether he was aware Mr Jones was a drug dealer.
Mr Davies said: “No.”
Edward Bennett and Mark Jones 'were friends'
Mr Davies said he also knew ‘Eddie’ Bennett as someome who was good with cars.
He described Edward Bennett as being friends with Mark Jones.
'Shock' of victim's friend
The next witness is Keith Davies, a friend of Mark Jones.
He is questioned by Peter Griffiths QC, representing Edward Bennett, about a statement he made to police.
Mr Davies said he knew Mr Jones for 30 years and they grew up in the Mountain Ash area. He said he saw Mr Jones every week and they would often train together and played squash.
In his statement, he said: “I really don’t know any reason why anyone would do this to Mark. He was a happy family man and I am completely shocked.”
Statement from arresting officer
Prosecutor Mike Jones is reading a statement out from PC Nathan Rafferty, a member of the joint firearms unit.
He carried out the arrest of Sptehen Bennett at his home address in Masefield Way, Pontypridd on July 29, 2015.
He said two females were also at the address.
He added that a search was carried out at the property to make sure there were no more people there and there were not.
The jury are now in court
The judge and the defendants are in court.
Edward Bennett is wearing a white short and tie and Stephen Bennett is wearing a blue suit.
The jury have entered the court.
Case due to begin shortly
The fifth week of the murder trial of brothers Edward and Stephen Bennett is about to begin.
There are 11 people in the public gallery and some members of counsel are in court.
We are waiting Mr Justice Wyn Williams and the defendants to enter the courtroom
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/live-updates-trial-brothers-accused-12101710
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