Defendant's brother: He told hospital staff 2 tales on how he got scratches on arms

Defendant Timothy Verrill, left, and his older brother, Jeff Verrill (Court TV screenshots)

DOVER - About a week after two women were slain in Farmington in January 2017 the man accused in their deaths explained away scratches on his arms with two different tales while receiving treatment for mental health issues at Exeter Hospital, according to testimony from the defendant's brother.

Earlier this week Jeff Verrill, the brother of accused double-murderer Timothy Verrill, testified that his younger brother, who was growing increasingly anxious and unhinged, told him that "The TV was talking to him and it wasn't making any sense."

Under questioning from the state, Jeff Verrill said that his brother asked him to take him to Exeter Hospital for treatment of his anxiety.

Christine Sullivan, Timothy Verrill, Jenna Pellegrini

"While there did you hear him tell hospital staff what drugs he'd been using?" the prosecution asked.

"Yes," Jeff Verrill stated.

"What were they?"

"Cocaine and methamphetamine stands out," Jeff Verrill replied.

"Did you hear him tell hospital staff how he got scratches on his arms?"

"I don't remember exactly what he said caused them, but there were two different responses to two different people," Jeff Verrill testified.

Timothy Verrill, 41, formerly of Dover, is charged in the Jan. 27, 2017, killing of Christine Sullivan, 48, of Farmington; and Jenna Pellegrini, 32, of Barrington. Both were found dead of multiple stab wounds.

Taking the stand on Wednesday was Kevin G. McMahon, a forensic lab criminalist with New Hampshire State Police.

McMahon, whose specialty is the identification of potential blood evidence, said he identified several blood substances that might be able to establish DNA evidence on blood splatters of stains that were found on the premises including a fitted bed sheet, a candle holder, a length of paper towels, a small gold-colored elephant figurine, an artificial twig arrangement with battery pack and several other items.

He said those and others he identified as having blood substance on them were sent to the DNA lab for identification.

Timothy Verrill has been incarcerated since February 2017 when he was arrested in Massachusetts. His first trial in 2019 ended in a mistrial after it was learned the New Hampshire State Police Major Crimes Unit had failed to turn over massive amounts of evidence, some of which was exculpatory, meaning it may have benefited the defense.

The trial is expected to run into April.

Verrill is charged with second degree murder in the women's deaths and faces life in prison if convicted.