ONE of two prisoners accused of murdering a fellow inmate denied any part in the killing despite blood and fingerprints being discovered.

Forensic evidence revealed Marcus Nelson's palm prints were found on his bed frame in blood belonging to victim Patrick Butler.

Traces of Butler's blood were also found in Nelson's cell at HMP Risley on the floor, behind the door and in the toilet basin.

Chester Crown Court heard on Tuesday that Nike trainers belonging to Nelson, aged 30, and his co-defendant, Aaron Gordon, aged 24, had Butler's blood smeared on them. The pair, from Wolverhampton, deny murdering the 41-year-old, also from Wolverhampton, on November 13, 2005. Butler, in jail for a string of car crimes, died of massive head and neck injuries.

In police interviews after the attack, read out in court, Nelson said: "I don't know why his blood would be in my cell. I didn't do anything whatsoever."

Earlier in the trial it was alleged Nelson and Gordon, cousins by marriage, had attacked Butler in Nelson's cell, fracturing his skull.

Butler's body had been dragged and dumped under a stairwell on C Wing, where all three were inmates.

The jury was told Gordon maintained a stony silence when questioned by detectives, but tears rolled down his face when Butler's death was mentioned.

Junior prosecutor Meririon Lewis Jones said: "Gordon failed to protest his innocence by not saying anything and not coming up with any defence."

Shortly after Butler was discovered, both defendants were attacked in a riot involving other prisoners who threw chairs, tables and a mop strainer.

The trial continues.