A headline on a story last Friday about the Charles Richardson Supreme Court trial incorrectly read "Spinning Wheel murder scene `contaminated'''. The incident involved an attempted murder.

A Police forensic expert yesterday told a court the scene of an alleged shooting was "contaminated'' before he could start his investigation.

Det. Sgt. Howard Cutts was called to the Spinning Wheel club on March 30, last year, to examine the area after one person was allegedly shot four times and another once.

He was giving evidence at the Supreme Court trial of Charles Roger Richardson who denies charges of attempted murder, wounding with intent, unlawful wounding, using a firearm and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Prosecutor Mr. Peter DeJulio has already told the court that Richardson, 24, of Harrington Sound Road, Smith's Parish, was in the Spinning Wheel when he pulled a gun and shot Mr. Ian Jason Simmons four times. A bullet also hit Mr.

Jermaine Lovell in the hand.

Yesterday, Det. Sgt. Cutts told the court he found five cartridge cases, four bullets and a piece of a bullet inside the Spinning Wheel. The bullets had been fired from a semi-automatic pistol.

He also examined a black and white jacket found at the Pembroke dump and inspected Richardson's car which had been burnt out.

Under cross-examination from defence counsel, Mr. Mark Pettingill, Det. Sgt Cutts said he arrived at the Spinning Wheel about two hours after the shootings.

"It was obvious to me that the crime scene had been contaminated before the arrival of the first Police officer,'' he said.

Three of the cartridges were found under an ash can and Det. Sgt. Cutts said it would have been impossible for them to have landed there.

"The scene was contaminated by people who were there before,'' said Det. Sgt.

Cutts. However, he also said that in this case such contamination would have made no difference to his examinations.