Claremont trial delayed for ‘Bunnings visit’

THE resumption of the Claremont serial killings trial has been delayed to allow for a visit ‘to Bunnings’.

The purpose of the visit is to allow prosecutors to collect material for a screen to be erected in the court, preventing sensitive images from being seen in the public gallery.

Prosecutor Carmel Barbagallo said she could arrange a trip to Bunnings to get some Masonite to block the bar table.

Justice Stephen Hall, who is presiding over the trial without a jury, agreed a screen would prevent the court from needing to be closed to the public for periods.

Eventually the screening was procured from Officeworks.

The trial had been set to resume this morning after a two-week recess, but the start time is now 2.15pm.

Ex-Telstra technician Bradley Robert Edwards, 51, has pleaded not guilty to murdering secretary Sarah Spiers, 18, childcare worker Jane Rimmer, 23, and solicitor Ciara Glennon, 27, in 1996 and 1997.

The bodies of Ms Rimmer and Ms Glennon were found in bushland at opposite ends of Perth, but Ms Spiers’ body has never been located.

The next phase of the case will focus on the testimony of police and forensic officers, before moving on to the post-mortem examinations.

Only a few more civilians are expected to testify, including funeral directors.