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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Gun tests 'matched Rhys wounds' | Gun tests 'matched Rhys wounds' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Forensic tests on a gun allegedly used to kill Rhys Jones replicated the wounds he sustained in his shooting, a court heard. | Forensic tests on a gun allegedly used to kill Rhys Jones replicated the wounds he sustained in his shooting, a court heard. |
| The 11-year-old was hit by one of three bullets fired across the car park of the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth Park, Liverpool, on August 22 2007. | The 11-year-old was hit by one of three bullets fired across the car park of the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth Park, Liverpool, on August 22 2007. |
| Liverpool Crown Court heard how the fatal shot was fired by Crocky Crew gang member Sean Mercer. | Liverpool Crown Court heard how the fatal shot was fired by Crocky Crew gang member Sean Mercer. |
| Mr Mercer, 18, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, denies murder. | Mr Mercer, 18, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, denies murder. |
| The court previously heard that Mr Mercer was firing at members of rival gang the Nogga Dogz when Rhys was killed. | The court previously heard that Mr Mercer was firing at members of rival gang the Nogga Dogz when Rhys was killed. |
| Scientific tests | Scientific tests |
| The bullet entered through his back, slightly above his left shoulder blade, before exiting through the front right side of his neck. | The bullet entered through his back, slightly above his left shoulder blade, before exiting through the front right side of his neck. |
| On Friday, the jury heard the bullet hit Rhys "partially or fully sideways-on". | On Friday, the jury heard the bullet hit Rhys "partially or fully sideways-on". |
| Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting, said the bullet produced a "keyhole effect" on his body which tests on the .455 Smith and Wesson replicated. | Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting, said the bullet produced a "keyhole effect" on his body which tests on the .455 Smith and Wesson replicated. |
| He said: "The scientist used the revolver to test-fire three of the .45 Colt cartridges found with it. | He said: "The scientist used the revolver to test-fire three of the .45 Colt cartridges found with it. |
| "His tests revealed that the bullets produced the same distinctive 'keyhole' effect that he had identified on Rhys Jones's football shirt." | "His tests revealed that the bullets produced the same distinctive 'keyhole' effect that he had identified on Rhys Jones's football shirt." |
| Mr Flewitt told the jury this seemed to be caused because the bullet was undersized by 0.08mm and the rifling of the revolver was worn. | Mr Flewitt told the jury this seemed to be caused because the bullet was undersized by 0.08mm and the rifling of the revolver was worn. |
| Those facts, we suggest, provide compelling evidence that Sean Mercer was the person who shot Rhys Jones Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting | |
| The bicycle used by the gunman to flee the scene was linked directly to Mr Mercer, Mr Flewitt told the jury. | |
| Mr Mercer got the satin silver Specialized Hardrock mountain bike in April 2007 after his previous bike was stolen. | |
| Images of the bike were released to the media, which led to Liverpool resident Leslie Shimmin realising he had found the frame the day after Rhys was killed. | |
| Mr Shimmin spotted it while out cycling near to an industrial unit in Kirkby used by the co-accused Melvin Coy, 25. | |
| DNA match | |
| Mr Flewitt said: "It will, perhaps, come as no surprise to you to learn that the serial number of the silver Specialized Hardrock mountain bike found by Mr Shimmin in Kirkby is the same as the serial number of the Specialized Hardrock mountain bike supplied to Sean Mercer in April 2007." | |
| He added that DNA swabs taken from Mr Mercer also matched DNA on the bicycle, which had been hidden under a bush less than 250 yards from the unit. | |
| Mr Flewitt said that Mr Mercer and several of his co-accused allegedly visited the site hours after Rhys's murder. | |
| "Those facts, we suggest, provide compelling evidence that Sean Mercer was the person who shot Rhys Jones," he added. | |
| James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road, Croxteth; Gary Kays, 25, of Mallard Close, and Mr Coy, 24, of Abbeyfield Drive, both West Derby, Liverpool, are accused of assisting an offender, along with two boys aged 16 and 17, who cannot be identified. | |
| The sixth accused person, another 17-year-old boy, also denies possessing an illegal firearm and ammunition. | |
| The trial continues. | The trial continues. |