The fingerprints of Nancy Kissel, accused of murdering her husband, Robert, were found on the sticky side of tape used to seal boxes containing blood-stained items, the High Court was told Wednesday.

Senior assistant director of public prosecutions Peter Chapman told the seven-member jury that when police officers conducted a thorough search of the Kissel apartment in Parkview on November 8, they found four boxes containing bedding, tissues, pillows and the clothing belonging to both Robert and Nancy Kissel - all of which were stained with blood.

Forensic scientists later confirmed the DNA of the blood matched that of Robert Kissel, a former Merrill Lynch banker, and that his wife's left thumb print had been found on the tape used to seal the boxes, Chapman said.

Nancy Kissel denies the murder charge.

The prosecution also said the post mortem confirmed that Kissel had been drugged and was probably defenseless when bludgeoned to death with a heavy metal ornament.

In outlining how the police came to suspect the wife, Chapman used graphic photos to reveal the extent of the injuries inflicted on the banker.

When storeroom 15112 in block 15 of Parkview was opened, there was ``a strong smell of a decomposing body,'' Chapman said.

Inside the room, police found a rolled-up carpet which, from its wrapping and packaging, aroused suspicion. The carpet was sent to forensics.

A managing director at Merrill Lynch, Anthony Hung, confirmed the corpse found in the carpet was that of Robert Kissel.

When the body was unwrapped from the rug and the sleeping bag, the deceased was wearing a white T-shirt and underpants - clothes which the family's domestic helpers said he normally wore in bed.

According to the prosecution, the pathologist confirmed there were severe lacerations to the right side of the head which resulted in ``massive spillage of brain substance.''

Lab tests found five types of hypnotics and anti-depressants in Kissel's stomach and liver, which would have impaired consciousness during the attack, Chapman said. No sign of defensive injury was found on the body, and the chemist found ``insignificantly low'' amounts of alcohol, he said.

Police searching the residence found blood stains and specks on items in the master bedroom, where the defendant is accused of inflicting the fatal blows.

Among the blood-stained items found in the sealed boxes was a metal ornament comprising of two figurines on a metal base, believed to have been the murder weapon.

The two figurines had been detached from the base ``as a result of the force required'' to bludgeon the victim, Chapman said. When attached, the ornament could be used ``like a hammer head.''

Nancy Kissel was arrested at 2.41am on November 7 after having been taken to Ruttonjee Hospital for a check up. She was diagnosed to be suffering from emotional distress and was trembling, crying and unable to talk.

Doctors found abrasions on her lip, chest and knees. Her palms were red and there was bruising on her forearms and shoulders.

Blood samples revealed she was suffering from muscle injuries, the result of vigorous exercise.

The prosecution alleges this was due to ``the considerable effort in wrapping the body with the carpet - and placing the body in the rug.''

Mrs Kissel said that she had been assaulted by her drunken husband on November 2 when she had refused to have sex with him.

Mr Kissel's sister, Jane Clayton, was the first to give evidence Wednesday and confirmed that Nancy Kissel is named as the primary beneficiary in her brother's will.

When asked to confirm that the woman in the dock and in the pictures was Nancy Kissel, she was visibly distressed and close to tears.

She estimated the value of Robert Kissel's estate to be around US$18 million (HK$140.4 million), including stocks, cash, life insurance and real estate.

Clayton said she had been aware of the marital deterioration but ``Robbie thought if he tried harder he could fix things up and make everything better.''

The trial continues today.

albert.wong@singtaonewscorp.com