1HV0iyl#CEB

i. Forensic Test Results
Suspecting that the murders had not occurred in the van, the police
collected a portion of carpet and of a hallway doorframe from the Kopatzes’
house, which tested positive for blood. Criminalist Daniel Gregonis determined
that the DNA profile from the blood on the doorframe was an exact match to
Mary’s profile, providing “strong evidence” that Mary was a “good potential”
source of the blood. 11 Gregonis could not obtain a DNA profile from the blood on
the carpet. He stated that a possible explanation for the inability to obtain a profile
was the presence of an inhibitor, such as a cleaning solution, that had been applied
to the stain. Criminalist Michele Merritt noted a stain on the back of the carpet, but
could not determine if it was from cleaning fluid. She opined that if any liquid
had been applied to the bloodstain, it was after the blood had dried completely.
Fibers found on Mary’s front torso, left sock, and lower left leg were
consistent with fibers from the carpet in the Kopatzes’ house.
DNA testing eliminated Mary and Carley as contributors to the scrapings
found under Mary’s fingernails, but could not eliminate defendant as a possible
contributor.
2. The Defense’s Case
Mary Rolle lived across the street from the Kopatzes’ house. About 9:00
a.m. on the day of the murder, she spoke to defendant in front of her house. There
was nothing unusual about his demeanor. 12
11 Gregonis testified that the blood from the hallway doorframe could be
expected to be found in about 1 in 4.2 million Caucasians, 1 in 7.6 million
Hispanics, and 1 in 95 million African-Americans.
12 The defense presented Rolle’s testimony to impeach Lopez’s testimony that
he saw defendant’s van near his Duncan Avenue house at 8:30 or 8:45 a.m. the
morning of the murders.
16