Digital forensic evidence takes centre stage in Sherleytine Ernesta’s murder trial |20 January 2023
Digital forensic evidence gathered by the Scientific Support and Crime Record Bureau (SSCRB) of the Seychelles Police Force took centre stage in the murder trial of Sherleytine Ernesta yesterday, as prosecutors Hemanth Kumar and Gulmette Leste set out to prove their case against the two accused in the matter.
The trial officially commenced on Monday and the State Counsels have since then produced numerous witnesses and exhibits, with the hopes of proving to the jury that Lussel Labiche and Ashten Elisabeth are guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The body of 21-year-old Sherleytine Ernesta was discovered in Bougainville on May 4, 2022, after she had been reported missing by her mother on May 3.
An officer of the Digital Unit of the SCCRB presented to court the findings of three of the eighteen reports he has produced in his capacity as a digital forensics examiner, in relation to the matter. This included information based on data extracted from three mobile phones, two of which were allegedly seized from Elisabeth, while the third from Labiche.
Court was informed that Elisabeth was allegedly found to be in possession of a Grey Iphone 13 Pro Max, from which 8 contacts were retrieved. Four images recovered by the SSCRB were taken between January 28, 2022, and May 5, 2022, the jury heard.
A second device allegedly secured from Ms Elisabeth on May 4 was another smartphone from which the Digital Unit recovered 146 audio files, 537 call logs, 2 videos and 77 SMS.
The third phone, a black Nokia was secured from Labiche according to the officer, from which 91 call logs and 50 SMS were recovered.
The reports and devices were admitted as the prosecution’s evidence.
Data and contents contained on the devices which have been stored on DVD disc are to be shown to court and the jury as of this morning as the officer returns to present the findings of his other reports, and information relating to the other devices, including SIM cards and computer devices.
Two other officers of the SSCRB testified before court, the first who obtained a saliva swab from Labiche after his arrest, and the second who was involved in a search of his residence and who assisted in seizing a white long-sleeved shirt and belt located at the residence.
Both were cross-examined by the defence.
The defence comprises Counsel Clifford Andre who is representing Labiche, and Audric Govinden and Efna Chang-Thiou, representing Elisabeth.
The pair are each facing two counts, Labiche for conspiracy to commit murder and the offence of murder itself, while Elisabeth stands charged with conspiracy and aiding and abetting in the act of murder.
Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Laura Pillay