The second week of Brian Walshe’s first-degree murder trial saw the prosecution present physical evidence from the crime scene and video evidence related to the disposal of real estate executive Ana Walshe’s body.
Brian previously pleaded guilty to misleading a police investigation/obstruction of justice and improper conveyance of a human body as part of a deal entered on Nov. 18, prior to the start of the current trial. The challenge for prosecutors is, therefore, not to establish that Ana’s body was dismembered and improperly disposed of but whether or not this was done as part of an attempt to cover up her murder at Brian’s hands.
The day began with testimony from Richard Atkinson of the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Atkinson presented physical evidence from the crime scene, including hair and blood evidence. Testing of a rug in the Walshe basement, as well as a knife, tin snips, a hammer and a hacksaw from the home, all showed evidence of blood.
On cross-examination, defense attorney Larry Tipton asked Atkinson if the absence of a body means that the Office of the Chief Examiner cannot definitively determine the cause and manner of death. Atkinson said that this is generally true.
Tipton also asked whether a number of things could lead to “sudden unexpected death,” which the defense is expected to argue was the case in Ana Walshe’s death. Atkinson confirmed that physical exertion, sexual activity, illness, stress, extended travel and other factors can contribute to such an event.
After testimony from representatives of Tishman Speyer, the commercial real estate company where Ana Walshe was employed, the prosecution presented a series of surveillance videos from retail establishments where they say Brian Walshe purchased cleaning and disposal supplies that he used to get rid of the body of his late wife.
Prosecutors also showed surveillance footage from Vinnin Liquors in Swampscott, Massachusetts, where Walshe was said to be a regular customer. The footage is dated Jan. 1, 2023, and shows Brian walking toward a dumpster with a bag. The store was closed that day.
A Lowe’s asset protection manager, Cade Reed, was called to the stand to present Jan. 1, 2023, surveillance footage from two different Lowe’s stores in Danvers and Weymouth. In one clip, a man said to be Brian Walshe is wearing a black mask and loading up a shopping cart in the cleaning aisle. He is subsequently shown in the self-checkout aisle, and is wearing blue latex gloves while purchasing cleaning supplies and buckets, which he paid for with cash.
For the next trip to Lowe’s in Weymouth, Walshe was accompanied by one of his sons with Ana Walshe.
Courtesy of NBC 10 Boston
Additional surveillance footage from area pharmacies showed Brian purchasing bandages, antibiotic cream and five bottles of hydrogen peroxide. Footage from a local convenience store showed him purchasing multiple bottles of ammonia.
Last week closed with an examination of Google searches purportedly made by Brian in the hours and days following Ana’s disappearance, including “10 ways to dispose of a dead body if you really need to,” “How long does DNA last,” “Can identification be made on partial remains,” “How to clean blood from wooden floor,” “Luminol to detect blood,” “Hacksaw best tool to dismember” and “What happens when you put body parts in ammonia.”
According to legal experts consulted by Boston’s NBC 10, the defense could start presenting its case as early as the end of this week. At that time, there is speculation that Brian Walshe could take the stand in his own defense.
