Murderer convicted by evidence of pet cockatoo

A pet cockatoo killed trying to protect its owner from an attacker produced evidence which helped to convict the murderer.

The white-crested cockatoo, called Bird, flew at Daniel Torres as he stabbed Kevin Butler in the chest and abdomen and cut his throat.

The pet pecked the killer on the head during the attack in the Dallas suburb of Pleasant Grove on 24 December 2001. Torres then wiped the blood away and touched a switch, leaving his DNA at the crime scene.

His DNA was also found on two knives used in the attack and he was convicted on Tuesday of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

George West, for the prosecution, said: "The bird spoke, he spoke to us. We know this bird will attack anybody who is attacking his owner."

Torres had said earlier that he stabbed the bird with a fork because he had pecked him on the head. But he later denied this account and blamed the crime on his half-brother, who is to stand trial later. He had worked for the victim's pool company and had a falling out with Mr Butler, Torres said.

Phillip Linder, for the defence, said he did not think the cockatoo had swayed the jury's decision. There was sufficient evidence to secure a conviction anyway.