Nicole Raz
WMAL
FAIRFAX, Va. (WMAL) — Wednesday marks Day Three in the trial against Jesse Matthew. Matthew is accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a Fairfax county woman in 2005.
Today the prosecution will bring one last witness to the stand, after hearing testimony Tuesday from two Fairfax Police lieutenants, the lead detective on the case, the nurse who administered the rape kit to the victim, the Fairfax City Police Chief, special agent at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, a retired canine officer who responded to the crime, and a DNA expert who analyzed the evidence.
The DNA evidence in this case comes from a rape kit, which include swabs taken from areas of the victim’s body where the attacker touched, the victim’s hair, clothing and the victim’s fingernail scrapings—which is the gunk underneath fingernails–as well as fingernail clippings.
Other evidence gathered from the crime scene includes a white, Reebok sneaker, a red stain found on grass, a cell phone and the victim’s underwear.
The DNA expert who analyzed the evidence, says there was not seminal fluid found on the victim’s underwear, and that a man’s DNA was found underneath the fingernails of the victim’s right hand.
The DNA linking Jesse Matthew to this case is the prosecution’s strongest evidence.
The trial is moving quickly, the Defense will have the opportunity to call witnesses Wednesday and the judge asked the attorneys to present instructions to the jury by Thursday.
Copyright 2015 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: Pool/Bill O’Leary – Washington Post)
