The mother of handbag designer Harl Taylor struggled to maintain her composure yesterday as she took to the stand for the retrial of the man accused of murdering her son.

Jurors heard testimony from several witnesses yesterday, including Mrs Beverly Taylor, the mother of the deceased.

Troyniko McNeil, the son of Mr Taylor's former business partner, is accused of murdering the 37-year-old handbag designer who was found dead in his bedroom at Mountbatten House, on West Hill Street, with multiple stab wounds on November 18, 2007.

Yesterday, Mrs Taylor recalled identifying her son's body at the morgue of the Princess Margaret Hospital on November 19. She remembered speaking with her son the Monday before his murder and described him as a very private person.

Under cross-examination by McNeil's attorney Murrio Ducille, Ms Taylor said she knew Troy McNeil as her son's former business partner, who at one time had lived in an apartment at Mountbatten House.

She noted that Mr McNeil was not living at Mountbatten House at the time her son was killed. Ms Taylor said she also knew Mr McNeil's son Troyniko McNeil. She said she had never seen him at her son's apartment.

Photo: Troyniko McNeil outside of court. Photo courtesy of The Tribune.

Ms Taylor, under further cross-examination, admitted she at one time had considered her son's former business partner like a second son and also admitted that Mr McNeil had sometimes served as mediator between her and her son.

Jimmy Bastian testified yesterday that on the morning of November 18 he was instructed by Mr McNeil to take some employees to Mountbatten House. Mr Bastian told the court that he had worked for Mr McNeil and Mr Taylor for some three years.

Mr Bastian recalled that when he arrived at Mountbatten House he rang the doorbell but received no response on the first attempt.

On the second attempt he realised that the door was ajar.

Mr Bastian said he and the employees entered the residence and smelled gas. He told the court he and the employees went into the kitchen and turned off the stove. He said he asked them to remain in the foyer as he proceeded upstairs. Mr Bastian said he peered through the glass of Mr McNeil's office and everything appeared to be intact.

However, when he looked into Mr Taylor's office he noticed a pillow with blood on it as well as part of an arm. Mr Bastian said he then called police.

During cross-examination, Mr Bastian said he saw Troyniko McNeil three to five times a month when functions were being held, and last saw Mr Taylor around 2pm or 3pm on November 17.

Detective Corporal Keith Turnquest, of the Scenes of Crime section of the Central Detective Unit, told the court that at about 10am on November 18, 2007, he received information and as a result, he and other officers went to Mountbatten House. There he met Detective Inspector Bernard Bonaby who gave him further instructions.

Cpl Turnquest said that after putting on protective gear he was taken through the southern entrance of Mountbatten House. He recalled entering the foyer area which appeared to be intact. He further testified that he then proceeded to a white stairway and went to a living room area.

He said that in the entrance area of the room, he noticed a number of blood stains and droplets. Cpl Turnquest said he also noticed blood dripping from a white Cyprus-type ceiling on to the floor.

The trial resumes today before Senior Justice Jon Isaacs. Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Franklyn Williams is the lead prosecutor. McNeil, 23, whose first trial ended in a mistrial when a jury failed to reach a legally recognised verdict, is currently on bail.

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