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| Consumptive DNA Testing Hashed Out at Latest Sheley Hearing |
The attorneys involved in a local murder case have hashed out how consumptive DNA testing of evidence will be handled.
Accused spree killer Nicholas Sheley appeared in Knox County Circuit Court Wednesday with his defense team of Jim Harrell and Jeremy Karlin for a Return of Subpoena hearing. Sheley's council and the the prosecution team that includes State's Attorney John Pepmeyer and Mike Atterberry of the Illinois Attorney General's office argued motions related to consumptive testing of DNA samples---such as blood--- and who will be involved in and making decisions about the testing at the laboratory.
Both the defense and prosecution have received materials that were subpoenaed from the Rockford Crime Lab and the Forensic Lab in Morton, as well as news stories from over 60 radio and television stations and newspapers in Illinois and St. Louis.
One of the motions that was agreed upon and granted by Judge James Stewart involving consumptive DNA testing will have the defense team's "expert" present to observe the testing. The test to be conducted will be halted if there is any disagreement between the defense "expert" and the lab technician, and the matter will be brought back before the court.
The defense also filed a motion related to the organizational chart, or roster, of the testing lab. Sheley's attorney's want to know who handled evidence from the point it was taken from the police department to the lab, the qualifications of the crime scene technician and who in the lab itself is making the decisions related to testing. Judge Stewart said if a lab organizational chart exists, he saw no problem with that being turned over to the defense.
Sheley is charged with 10 first-degree murder counts and seven other related felonies in Knox County for the death of Ronald Randall of Galesburg in late June. Sheley is also accused of seven other murders in the St. Louis area, his hometown of Sterling, and in Rock Falls. He's being held in the Knox County Jail on $10-million bond.
(Nicholas Sheley. File Photo.) |
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| 11 19 08 by Newsroom |
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