DNA Evidence Debated at Hamilton Avenue Trial | Indy's News Center - 93.1 WIBC Indianapolis

By Stan Lehr
10/22/2009

Hamilton Avenue murder suspect Desmond Turner's DNA was found on the jeans and t-shirt found soaking in a bathtub the morning after the killers --but not the DNA of the victims. That according to the Marion County crime lab.

Listen:

DNA expert Dr. David Foran says the hydrogen peroxide and isopropyl alcohol also present in the bathroom could not have destroyed the victim DNA.

But upon cross examination, he conceded that he doesn't think the state's expert "overstated his results."

In rebuttal, the expert says hydrogen peroxide can damage DNA.

After nine days of testimony, the prosecution and defense teams make their cases before Judge Robert Altice. He alone will determine the verdict.

This was a bench trial -- to be heard and decided by the judge. The defendant, Desmond Turner, waived his right to a trial by jury in return for Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi's promise not to seek the death penalty for the killings of seven people in June, 2006.

The judge may hand down his verdict by the end of the day Thursday.

MORE FROM WIBC NEWS:
» DNA Expert Cross-Examined at Hamilton Ave. Trial (10-21-09)
» DNA Evidence Presented at Hamilton Ave. Trial (10-20-09)
» Testimony Ties Turner to Alleged Accomplice (10-20-09)
» Physical Evidence Presented in Hamilton Ave. Trial (10-20-09)
» Stunning Testimony in Hamilton Avenue Trial (10-19-09)
» Homicide Detectives Testify in Turner Trial (10-19-09)
» Doctor Who Performed Hamilton Ave. Autopsies Testifies (10-19-09)
» Hamilton Ave. Trial Enters Second Week (10-19-09)
» Translator Has Important Job in Hamilton Avenue Trial (10-19-09)
» Crime Scene Video Shown in Desmond Turner Trial (10-16-09)
» Neighbors Testify in Hamilton Avenue Murder Trial (10-16-09)
» Testimony Continues in Hamilton Avenue Trial (10-15-09)
» Key Witness Testifies at Hamilton Avenue Trial (10-15-09)
» Key Witness Yet to Take Stand at Hamilton Avenue Trial (10-14-09)
» More Teens Testify at Turner Trial (10-14-09)
» Teenager's Testimony Places Turner at Scene (10-14-09)
» Key Witness Testifies Wednesday in Turner Trial (10-13-09)
» Turner's Boyhood Friend Testifies For Prosecution (10-13-09)
» More Testimony In Hamilton Avenue Trial (10-13-09)
» Hamilton Ave. Trial Enters Second Day (10-13-09)
» First Day of Testimony Wraps up in Hamilton Avenue Trial (10-12-09)
» Testimony Underway in Turner Trial (10-12-09)

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