Blood found on Chappell's yacht

Spatters of blood were found aboard a partly sunken boat belonging to medical
specialist Bob Chappell, who was last seen working on the vessel, a Hobart court has
been told.
Mr Chappell, 65, a radiation physicist at the Royal Hobart Hospital, was last seen
alive on his yacht, Four Winds, on Australia Day 2009.
His de facto wife, 56-year-old Susan Neill-Fraser, has pleaded not guilty to his
murder.
Forensic scientist Deborah McHoul told the Supreme Court in Hobart on Wednesday that
a blood spatter was located near the yacht's wheelhouse.
A dinghy also showed the likely presence of blood but a DNA test could not determine
the source, she said.
Anther forensic scientist, Christopher McKenzie, said a torch found on the boat had
blood spatters.
"The object was close to wet blood subject to some force," Mr McKenzie said.
Blood was also found on a cushion, he said.
A third scientist, Carl Grosser, said a red jacket found near where Mr Chappell was
last seen contained DNA matching that of Neill-Fraser.
Mr Chappell's lawyer, Phillip Kimber, testified on Wednesday, saying Mr Chappell had
changed his will in 2004.
"(It) stated that if Susan Neill-Fraser survived him by 30 days his material
possessions would go to her," Mr Kimber said.
"The balance of his estate was to meet his expenses and debts, and was then to be
divided 50 per cent to Susan Neill-Fraser, 40 per cent to their children and 10 per
cent to his sister."
He said the balance of the estate may have included superannuation worth $800,000
and employment benefits of between $26,000 and $30,000.
Mr Chappell's material possessions were a house, a boat and his furniture.
The court also heard on Wednesday from naval engineer Fred Barrett, who estimated
the yacht had been sinking for between nine and 12 hours when police found it on the
morning of January 27.
The trial before Justice Alan Blow continues.



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This email is intended for the use of the addressee only. If you receive this email
in error, please delete it immediately. This email may contain information which is
confidential and/or legally privileged. You must not use or disclose the contents of
this email, or add the sender's email address to any database, list or mailing list
unless you are expressly authorised to do so. The statements or views expressed in
this email are those of the individual sender and are not those of Australian
Associated Press Pty Ltd (AAP). These statements are not binding on AAP, except
where the sender expressly and with authority, states them to be. AAP is unable to
review the contents of all the email on its system. To the extent permitted by law,
AAP disclaims all liability for any loss or damage caused by the contents of this
email. www.aap.com.au


Delete & Prev | Delete & Next