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Melissa Staples reviews evidence she processed in 1995.
Day three of the 1995 Murder Trial of Mary Catherine Edwards began Thursday morning with testimony from Melissa Staples.
Staples, a New Hampshire scientist, received evidence at Cellmark Diagnostics on January 24, 1995, from Mitch Woods and Bill Tatum to analyze and compare samples taken from Edwards’ body to blood samples willingly provided by David Perry, Edwards’ ex-boyfriend at the time of her death, and Sam Hilts. Upon comparison, Staples said neither man was a match to the DNA evidence taken from Edwards’ body.
Staples testified that she later received samples from several individuals to compare to cavity swabs, nail clippings, and unlabeled blood collected at the scene. The following individuals were tested and were not a match to the collected evidence: David Perry, Merrell Cooper, Sam Hilts, Chad Ellis, Michael McCann, Mills, Scott Peters, Paul McCarter, Flores, Wich, and Mark Terrell.
Prosecutors then called Linda Johnson to the stand, a former employee of the Regional Crime Lab which handled evidence in the Edwards homicide case. Johnson reviewed reports for her recollection and confirmed the accuracy of the evidence submitted.
Following a recess for lunch, day three of the 1995 murder trial of Mary Catherine Edwards continued with forensic biologist Angela Fitzwater taking the stand. Fitzwater, a former employee of the Jefferson County Crime Lab, served as a forensic analyst for evidence collected at the scene of Edwards’ death. Fitzwater testified to being responsible for analyzing Edwards’ flowered comforter, in search of evidence and confirmed a positive test for seminal fluid.
Next, jurors heard from Cassie Caradine, former DNA analyst at the Austin Crime Lab. Carradine testified to making profiles from extracted DNA evidence from the Crime scene.
Allison Herd, DNA section supervisor at the Austin Crime Lab took the stand. Herd stated she had been involved with evidence in Edwards' case over the last couple of years. Herd spoke to her involvement sending samples to Othram, Inc., a laboratory in The Woodlands, from which testimony was heard on day two.
Proceedings will continue Friday morning.