A forensic scientist told Leeds Crown Court yesterday that the 73-year-old was repeatedly struck over the head and spat out blood as she was brutally attacked in her bungalow on Redhill Gardens.


Samantha Warna, an expert in crimes against the person, said the widow was battered with a heavy, curved weapon for two to three minutes in different parts of the kitchen – at first while she was standing, then on her knees and again as she lay in a gathering pool of blood by her fridge.


The prosecution claims that Mrs Wright's son-in-law and business partner David Hill – who was £20,000 in debt and secretly taking money from their joint account – delivered the blows after he "lost his temper" during a confrontation.
Hill, 48, of Lakeside Meadows, Pontefract, claims he discovered her body but denies murder.
The jury had previously heard a recording of the 999 call made by Hill at 3.24pm on the day of the alleged attack, Wednesday September 27, 2006.
He told the operator: "I've just been to my mother-in-law's house. She's been attacked. I think she's dead."
The jury saw a single spot of blood – found to belong to Mrs Wright – on the number nine of a telephone on the kitchen worktop when video footage taken at the bungalow was screened in court.


Mrs Wright's neighbour Eric Smith, of Redhill Gardens, said on the day of the alleged attack, he was woken from an afternoon nap by someone calling his name.
He told the court he went outside and heard Hill shouting: "Eric, come quickly, Molly's been attacked."
He said once he was in the house, he tried to administer first aid to Mrs Wright and put his fingers in her mouth to clear her airways, but a "mini waterfall" of blood flowed out.
Mr Smith added: "I thought I'm out of my depth here, there's blood here on Molly's belly and blood coming out of her mouth and nose that continues every time I try to do something. I thought: 'I need to get help'."


A paramedic who arrived at the scene said he believed it was "highly unlikely" they would be able to revive Mrs Wright, and she was pronounced dead at 4.16pm after being taken to Pontefract General Infirmary as "protocol".
Mr Smith, who is still receiving counselling, said later that day he kept being "bothered" by dark patches of blood over Hill's denim jacket.
He said: "I was staring at him and he said: 'What are you f**king looking at?' I said: "David, if I was you, you'd be looking at me.'"


He said Hill seemed angry, and replied: "I gave her a big cuddle."
Mr Smith said: "My common sense it fitted."
Nicholas Campbell QC, prosecuting, asked: "Had you seen David Hill do anything like he described to you, cuddling Molly?"
Mr Smith replied: "No, I hadn't."
Miss Warna told the court yesterday she would have expected to find more blood on Hill's clothing if his account was true.


Pathologist Professor Peter Vanezis, who carried out a post mortem on Mrs Wright's body, told the jury she died of multiple head injuries.
He said she sustained 15 separate substantial injuries – including fractures to her skull and facial skeleton.
He added Mrs Wright had bruising to her right hand, which suggested she had tried to defend herself against her attacker.


The prosecution claim that debt-ridden Hill had been secretly taking money from a joint business account he shared with market trader Mrs Wright to keep his creditors at bay until he and his wife Maxine received £135,000 they were expecting from her late father's estate.
It is alleged that Hill arranged for bank statements to be sent to him instead of Mrs Wright so he could alter details and photocopy them before she saw them.


Mr Campbell said: "The relationship between Molly Wright and David Hill was far from the picture of family happiness he was trying to paint for the police.
"He was in financial difficulties. It's likely that in spite of his efforts to conceal them that she had discovered something of his dealings with their joint account.
"For some reason, she had already stopped her solicitor from applying for probate on her husband's estate, knowing that through Maxine he was to benefit."


He added: "Hill visited Molly Wright at Redhill Gardens that afternoon, but earlier than he would have you believe.
"There was a confrontation in the living room there.
"Whatever was said between them was hardly a motive for murder, but it would have been enough for him to lose his temper, and in temper he struck her with a weapon that came to hand.


"Having struck, he continued until she was beyond help.
"Instead of then seeking help, he did what he could to cover his tracks and then he began to tell his lies."
The jury heard during initial police interviews Hill answered questions, but later used his right to remain silent.
The court was told that when cautioned by police, Hill replied: "Me? I tried to save her".
Proceeding.


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