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DNA of Alleged Subway Sodomy Victim Mixed Up With Other DNA on NYPD Baton
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 3, 2010
Modified Feb 3, 2010
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By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 3, 2010
Modified Feb 3, 2010
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It gets crowded for a DNA strand up on a police baton! Today a DNA expert from the chief medical examiner's office testified that Michael Mineo's blood and DNA could not be definitively linked to the retractable police baton, or ASP, that Officer Richard Kern allegedly used to sodomize Mineo after he resisted arrested in a Brooklyn subway station in October 2008. Criminologist Sarah Philipps said that she found DNA from three sources on the ASP, and that Mineo was "included as a possible contributor to this sample." But because the other DNA was mixed with the sample, she could not confirm a match, NY1 reports. It was a different story with Mineo's boxers, however.
Mineo's DNA was matched to blood found on his underwear, which had a hole in the seat and was presented as evidence today. That blood could not be definitively tied to the baton, and the lawyer for Officer Alex Morales, who's accused of helping cover up the assault, tried to throw out Philipps's testimony. But Justice Alan Marrus wasn't having it, telling the defense, "There was something in it for both sides."
Yesterday a doctor testified that Mineo's anal lacerations were consistent with his allegations, and today the prosecution rested its case. The defense began their counterattack this afternoon by calling a crime scene detective as their first witness.
Tagged
baton
dna
michael mineo
nyc
subway sodomy
trial
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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