BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — An effective but controversial investigative method is once again in the spotlight. DNA found at the scene where four University of Idaho students were murdered last November helped track down the suspect, but the state does not want to turn information related to that process over to the defense.
Judge John Judge issued an order addressing Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) DNA and says the evidence will be turned over to the defense. Sort of.
The method in question is when detectives use DNA found at the crime scene and run it through the family tree and public DNA testing websites such as 23andMe to see if they can find a match or at least a suspect's relative.
This same method was employed to arrest and charge the Golden State Killer, Joseph James DeAngelo, in 2018 for crimes he committed back in the 70s.
DNA evidence was recovered from the crime scene at the King Road house in Moscow, Idaho, from a Ka-Bar-style knife sheath.
Prosecutors argue while the process of IGG helped narrow the field of suspects, it did not point to Bryan Kohberger directly as a suspect, nor did it imply he had committed any crimes. The state says no IGG evidence was used to obtain a warrant and is not part of the probable cause affidavit.
According to court documents, prosecutors say Kohberger was first identified as a suspect after investigators found he was the registered owner of a 2015 Hyundai Elantra seen on multiple cameras driving around the neighborhood leading up to the time of the murders.
The state says cell phone data recovered from Kohberger's phone showed he drove from his apartment near Washington State University into Moscow on the night of the murders.
The IGG DNA evidence was used to limit the field of suspects, and the state says they used DNA recovered from the knife sheath to Kohberger's DNA, but it was not until they pulled trash from outside of his parents' home in Pennsylvania and compared it that an arrest was made.
The defense counsel argues the evidence used, including a family tree built by the FBI through the course of the investigation using IGG, needs to be turned over to them. In the latest ruling, Judge Judge agreed. Sort of.
Judge Judge says the evidence needs to be turned over to the defense, and he will need to review all of the evidence with the prosecution so the court can decide what needs to be handed over and what does not.
ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlwr86nq6unppq%2FtLXApWSdppFitq%2FCxKyrop%2BRqba3sYymnK2gn5l6trrDnqlmq5OnwrW1zbJkoqZdqruqwsSrqqKsqWK8p3nInZihp12iwrOwxKtknJmjmg%3D%3D