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Prosecution Rests In Turner Trial
DNA Experts Wrap Up Testimony
POSTED: 11:52 am EDT October 21, 2009
UPDATED: 6:13 pm EDT October 21, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS -- Prosecutors wrapped up their case Wednesday, on the eighth day of Desmond Turner's trial in the killings of seven people in an Indianapolis home in 2006.Crime lab firearms specialist Mike Putzek was the final prosecution witness, 6News' Derrik Thomas reported.More: Uncut Live Trial UpdatesHis testimony focused on a bullet that police found at the home of Michelle Clifton, a friend of Turner's, who told authorities he had a gun at her house in the weeks leading up to the slayings.Prosecutors said they believe it is a solid piece of evidence."Not only is it the same type of bullet, a 7.62 manufactured by wolf, it bears the same tool marks as the shell casings that were found at 560 (N. Hamilton Ave.)," said Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi.Earlier in the day, DNA specialist David Smith testified that he could not find any of the victims' blood or DNA on Turner's clothing.Smith and others tested a variety of pieces of clothing and other items Turner had contact with, but were not able to nail down a smoking gun for prosecutors.Initially, prosecutors hoped that the evidence would place the defendant at the scene. Instead, they have relied on circumstantial evidence from people who were nearby on the night members of the Covarrubias and Valdez families were slain on June 1, 2006.Turner's defense team quickly seized on the lack of physical evidence in the case. Their contention is that prosecutors have the wrong man."There's going to be evidence that Mr. Turner's DNA is on those clothes. There is no chemical procedure by which you could destroy the victim's DNA and yet keep Mr. Turner's DNA," said defense attorney Lorinda Youngcourt. "There's nothing on those clothes. He wasn't in that house. Had he been in that house, there would have been blood all over him."Brizzi countered that Turner had his clothes cleaned to eliminate any DNA evidence that could have been present."It's certainly possible to commit this crime and not get blood spattered on you," said Prosecutor Carl Brizzi. "What's important though is that he thought there was the victims' blood and DNA on those clothes. There's no other reason why you would take hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, take off perfectly good clothes, submerge them in water."Defense attorneys expect to call five to 10 witnesses. The trial could wrap up by the end of the week.Judge Robert Altice will then decide Turner's fate.Watch 6News and refresh this page for updates.
Previous Stories:
- October 20, 2009: Judge Visits House Where 7 Killed
- October 19, 2009: Graphic Testimony Highlights Day 6 Of Turner Trial
- October 16, 2009: Graphic Testimony Sparks Outburst Outside Turner Trial
- October 15, 2009: Witness Places Turner At Crime Scene When 7 Slain
- October 14, 2009: Teen Testifies About Hearing Shots, Screams When 7 Killed
- October 14, 2009: Turner Trial Witness Says Testimony Was Misconstrued
- October 13, 2009: Witness Says Turner Planned 'To Hit A Lick' Before 7 Slain
- October 13, 2009: Trial Starts In Slayings Of 7
- October 13, 2009: Life Still Harsh For Some Along Hamilton Avenue
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