THE majority of civilian witnesses in the Claremont serial killings trial have testified within the first 17 days, with the hearing now taking a break until the new year.
Ex-Telstra technician and confessed rapist Bradley Robert Edwards, 51, denies murdering secretary Sarah Spiers, 18, childcare worker Jane Rimmer, 23, and solicitor Ciara Glennon, 27, in the 1996 and 1997.
The Western Australia Supreme Court trial before a judge sitting without a jury, which has so far heard from more than 100 witnesses, will resume on January 6.
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READ NOWThe next lot of witnesses will be police and forensic officers, who attended the crime scenes where the bodies of Ms Rimmer and Ms Glennon were found.
It will then move on to the post-mortem examinations.
It is expected that in February the trial will move to DNA and fibre expert evidence, with a focus on how exhibits have been handled, as the defence has said contamination is a “live issue”.
Only a few more civilians are expected to testify, including undertakers and funeral directors.
Justice Stephen Hall said he would rule on the prosecution’s “emotional upset” evidence towards the end of its case.
But he will not publish his reasons until he hands down his verdict for the trial, which is expected to be months after the epic proceedings are complete.