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August 26, 2009 DNA focus of King trial testimonyPosted: 09:37 PM ET
SARASOTA, Florida–Forensics testimony also played a major role in the trial of Michael King Wednesday. As prosecutors took the jury through a chronologic analysis of evidence, crime scene tech Pamela Schmidt identified duct tape taken at autopsy from the back head of victim Denise Lee.
Michael King Schmidt testified that the duct tape stretched along the back of Lee's head from ear to ear. A bra strap was also found in a separate location from the remainder of a bra, underwear and a top all belonging to the young mother of two. Florida Department of Law Enforcement analyst Jennifer Setlak testified that vaginal swabs of Lee showed sperm cells consistent with the DNA of defendant Michael King. DNA from the torn ends of duct tape located in the home of the defendant matched King's DNA. Swabbings from the hood of the defendant's car, one of an unknown fluid and one consistent with blood both showed DNA matching that of Denise Lee. This evidence will be critical for the prosecution to show the proximity of the defendant's car to the execution of Lee with one shot to her head. An FDLE trace evidence analyst testified she studied all pieces of duct tape found in the defendant's home and around Lee's head to see if there were fracture or tear matches. There were not, so the prosecution by this testimony cannot prove the duct tape on Lee matched tape in the defendant's home. Nonetheless, there were class characteristics that matched, such as the color of the tape, width, along with length and spacing of yarns. The defense, on cross-examination, poked holes in the methodology of DNA testing, the duct tape testing that couldn't provide absolute matches and the fact that oral and anal swabs of Lee did not include the semen of the defendant. Stay tuned to In Session for all the latest on this case. –Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent Filed under: Uncategorized |
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