A Knox County judge has authorized prosecutors to conduct DNA testing on evidence in the October hammer-attack murder of 67-year-old Georgette Evan Rodrigues at a home on North Soangetaha Road.
David L. Nicholson Klingerman Jr., 29, of Galesburg, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the Oct. 26 death at 30 N. Soangetaha Road.
On Tuesday, Judge Andrew Doyle granted the State’s request for testing over objections from Klingerman’s public defender, Chris Kanthak.
State’s Attorney Ashley Worby declined to specify what evidence will be tested, saying the investigation remains active. She noted that DNA testing can consume samples, but the defense has the right to have its own expert present.
“If there is DNA present, that evidence can strengthen our case,” Worby told WGIL, “but a lack of DNA does not hurt our case.”
Klingerman, who has pleaded not guilty and demanded a jury trial, will return to court for a pretrial conference at 9 a.m. Jan. 5.
Rodrigues’ body was found outside the home during a well-being check with signs it had been moved. An autopsy showed massive head trauma and defensive wounds consistent with a hammer recovered inside. Klingerman was found hiding in a closet and made statements to police.