The High Court in Christchurch has heard details of what was found on the phone of murder-accused Tingjun Cao.
The 53-year-old’s on trial for killing real estate agent Yanfei Bao in July last year. He denies murdering her.
Joshua Locke, a digital forensic analyst for the New Zealand Police, gave evidence today about phones belonging to both the victim and defendant.
He told the court about a picture of interest he recovered on Cao’s device, “that depicts the lower half of a person’s body”.
The original photo or video had been deleted but Locke said he found thumbnail versions of it.
“When a user deletes a photo or video from their device, the corresponding thumbnail may remain on the device,” he explained.
Locke said, according to data attached to the thumbnails, the image was taken at 4.34pm on July 19, 2023, the same day Bao went missing.
The image, which is graphic in nature, was referred to by the Crown in its opening address to the jury.
Prosecutor Cameron Stuart told the jury it may suggest a sexual element to the offending.
Locke also provided details about other content that appeared to be missing from Cao’s phone.
“During the analysis of this device a number of messages sent and received via the WeChat messaging application were found to have been deleted.”
He said there were 178 messages missing, 96 of which he established had been sent or received from Bao.
The digital forensic analyst also detailed his examination of phones belonging to the victim.
Earlier in the trial, the jury heard Bao’s phone had been located on the side of the motorway in Christchurch, snapped in half.
Locke told the court it was in a severely damaged state.
He explained that it was repaired to working condition by digital forensic staff, and that the data he was able to access from it was passed onto the police investigation team in Christchurch.
Cao, who initially had lawyers conducting his defence in the trial, has been representing himself since Wednesday.
His lawyers, Colin Eason and Joshua Macleod, are now acting as stand-by counsel to assist him where needed.
Media are unable to show him questioning witnesses, as a ruling from the judge earlier this week prohibited further filming of the 53-year-old in court.
Prior to taking over his defence, the alleged murderer had multiple outbursts in the courtroom and on several occasions waived his right to sit in court during proceedings.
In cross examination today, Cao challenged the witness about whether he had added or altered any pictures, photos or messages on his phone.
Locke denied that.
“Everything that I have put into my report has been taken from the mobile phones that I examined,” he said.
Cao also asked the analyst if the sensitive photograph could have transmitted from another phone.
Locke said yes that was possible but on further questioning said the evidence does not suggest that.
The trial continues.
By Laura James and Katie Stevenson
