Murder victim Beatrice Simons appeared to have been first attacked whilst she lay in bed, a court heard.

The Supreme Court was told that an analysis of blood splashes in the grandmother's bedroom revealed that the victim moved about after the attack started.

And a further stain on the carpet showed that the 69-year-old woman could have fallen to the floor or suffered a low-level impact during the night- time incident.

Mrs. Simons remained conscious after the attack, but died in King Edward VII Memorial Hospital five days later, after developing an arterial thrombosis.

The evidence came as Crown counsel Peter Eccles closed the case for the prosecution.

Chief Justice Austin Ward then dismissed the jury until this afternoon, whilst legal applications were made.

Michael Brian Pitcher, 32, and Michael Dean Eberly, 35, both of Victoria Row, Ireland Island, deny murder on December 2, 1997, but admit burglary.

Closing his evidence, Mr. Eccles produced a statement from Government analyst Kevin Leask.

Mr. Leask had examined the scene of the attack and taken photographs, giving an opinion on the blood staining.

He said Mrs. Simons appeared to have been first attacked whilst she was in bed because of the small spots of blood on her pillow.

Subsequent blood found near a cabinet indicated she suffered two or three blows whilst close to it.

And a pool of blood on the floor showed that the widow either fell to the floor or suffered a low-level blow. In addition, she was also close to a nearby chair for a time.

Finally, said Mr. Leask, blood on the telephone keypad suggested that she may have sat down close to the phone at some point.

Mrs. Simons was found by Police covered in blood, but still fully conscious.

She died days later in hospital after an artery at the back of her head swelled up.

Both Pitcher and Eberly blamed each other for the crime.

Although they admit entering her house -- located just a few doors down from their own homes -- to look for cash, Pitcher said Eberly hit the widow and Eberly said Pitcher was the one in her bedroom.

Eberly was arrested after flagging down a Police car, and telling the officers he "couldn't stand it any longer and had to get it off his chest''. Pitcher was arrested shortly afterwards.

COURTS CTS