DNA from two samples of biological tissue recovered from murder defendant Joshua Williams’ bathroom matched that of victim Jamil Khan, a police evidence specialist testified in Circuit Court Thursday.
Williams, 26, is on trial for second-degree murder in the April 7, 2010, disappearance and death of Khan, 24.
HPD evidence specialist Doreen Matsuda said she recovered the tissue from the bristles of two brushes in the bathroom of Williams’ rented Makakilo home. DNA from the tissue was compared with DNA recovered from a comb belonging to Khan.
Police have not recovered Khan’s body. Williams told them he and Michael Connolly, 25, dismembered Khan’s body in the bathroom and disposed of the body parts in the trash. Williams claims they killed Khan in self-defense.
The prosecution brought in Thursday a gray city trash bin police recovered from the Makakilo home to show the jury. Matsuda also showed the jurors pictures of bloodlike splatter on the walls and on a hand railing inside Williams’ home.
Police have not tested the splatter to determine whether it is blood.
A friend of Williams, Bastian Goelz, testified Wednesday that Williams told him he and Connelly ambushed Khan in the Makakilo home where Williams, Connelly and Khan had an indoor marijuana growing operation. Goelz said Williams told him that when Khan entered the home, Williams closed the door behind him and held Khan while Connelly attacked him with a hammer.
"Josh had told me that he restrained Jamil because they were afraid he might be holding a handgun," Goelz said.
(Another prosecution witness testified Tuesday that Williams told him Khan threatened to kill him with a handgun if Williams were to try to kick Kahn out of the marijuana partnership.)
During the attack, Khan cried and begged and told his attackers to stop, Goelz said Williams told him.
After Williams and Connelly subdued Khan, the two dragged Khan to the bathroom, Goelz said Williams told him.
"Josh told me that they had strung (Khan) up in the bathtub, and Joshua stated that he had sliced Jamil’s throat," Goelz said.
Goelz said Williams suggested that Khan was still alive when he cut Khan’s throat because Khan made wheezing and gurgling sounds.
The state says Williams later drove Kahn’s sport utility vehicle to Waipahu and set it on fire.
Goelz said Williams described how he burned the SUV and that some of his hair and eyelashes were singed in the process.
Khan’s father testified the SUV was his son’s.
Connolly’s trial is scheduled for February.
