Defense Claims Lab Failed to Report DNA Not Linked to Duke Rape Case Defendants
DURHAM, N.C. – According to a defense motion filed on Dec. 13, DNA Security, the private lab hired by prosecutors to test for semen in the Duke University lacrosse rape case, failed to disclose analysis reports of DNA that did not match any of the three accused lacrosse players or anyone else on the Duke lacrosse team.
The accuser, a North Carolina Central University student and exotic dancer, alleges three Duke lacrosse players raped her in a bathroom at a March 13 off-campus party where she was performing. Three lacrosse players were arrested and charged with the rape. DNA Security, however, submitted a report to the Durham district attorney’s office in May concluding that none of the DNA collected from the accuser matched the defendants, the lacrosse team or the accuser’s boyfriend. Furthermore, the defense claims, the unidentified DNA came from multiple males.
Defense lawyers discovered the DNA only after a thorough scrutiny of the report, which included 1,844 documents. The May report made references to the unidentified DNA but only provided analysis reports of three DNA tests. The lab cited privacy and cost as reasons for not submitting all the analysis reports.
The defense motion is demanding that DNA Security hand over all documents related to the lacrosse case, including E-mail exchanges related to the case and records of any tests performed after the May report.
The trial is scheduled for the spring.
If you appreciated this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
Leading in Turbulent Times: Effective Campus Public Safety Leadership for the 21st Century
This new webcast will discuss how campus public safety leaders can effectively incorporate Clery Act, Title IX, customer service, “helicopter” parents, emergency notification, town-gown relationships, brand management, Greek Life, student recruitment, faculty, and more into their roles and develop the necessary skills to successfully lead their departments. Register today to attend this free webcast!