First DNA link possible in lacrosse case

Durham Herald Sun ^ | 5/11/2006 | John Stevenson

[OakOak]

By John Stevenson : The Herald-Sun jstevenson@heraldsun.com May 11, 2006 : 12:20 am ET

DURHAM -- Tissue found under the fingernail of an exotic dancer who claimed she was raped at a Duke University lacrosse party may match a player who was there, several well-placed sources said Wednesday.

Analyzing the tissue, scientists concluded it came from the same genetic pool and was "consistent" with the bodily makeup of one of 46 lacrosse players who gave DNA samples for testing, the sources said.

At the same time, scientists ruled out a possible match with any of the other 45 students, according to the sources.

If accurate, the fingernail tissue match would offer the first DNA evidence potentially linking the dancer and an alleged attacker.

But because a complete DNA pattern was not obtained from the tissue, it was not possible to match it with the nearly 100 percent certainty that DNA results usually offer, the sources added.

The dancer told police she clawed at three attackers as they raped and sodomized her for 30 minutes during the March 13-14 lacrosse house party at 610 N. Buchanan Blvd.

[GAgal]

I believe the DNA was found on one of the nails left behind in the bathroom before she was carried to the car.

[Peach]

Is that from one of the articles, or supposition? I'm behind on this story.

[Peach]

I see it now, GAgal. The DNA was found from a stick-on nail found in the trashcan.

[GAgal]

It's in the OP. The DNA came from tissue on one of the stick-on nails found in the bathroom trashcan.

[maggief]

And, I'll bet the AV put the stick-on nails in the bathroom trashcan when she was putting on nail polish.

[maggief]

It stinks to high heaven!

Arrest cabbie on 2+ year misdemeanor charge.
Reinstate misdemeanor charges against Duke LAX players.
Investigate Christopher H. Day, a Duke University police office who reported the AV "was claiming that she was raped by approximately 20 white males."

Meanwhile ...

Reduce bond on second stripper.

[GAgal]

There is so much to discuss in this morning's flurry of articles my head is reeling. While the potential DNA "match" could have dominated the news, the injustice of Nifong charging the poor cabbie is something so outrageous that media attention will hopefully be focused there. Nifong is a human tornado leaving wreckage in his wake with no clue where/who he will strike next.

[pinz-n-needlez]

So there isn't really DNA from a player *under* her fingernail....

There is DNA similar to one of the players on a piece of fingernail-shaped acrylic with a partially tacky surface that was found in a trashcan in the bathroom.

The pubic hair could have also been found in the same trashcan.

What is that law of transfer we heard so much about in other trials?

That hair could have been in the trashcan for weeks. There are many forms of *DNA* that could have been there, and many ways it could have come to be in that same trashcan.

These players sound like pretty meticulous housekeepers to me!

Pinz

[snarkytart]

FROM ARTICLE:

"If accurate, the fingernail tissue match would offer the first DNA evidence potentially linking the dancer and an alleged attacker.

But because a complete DNA pattern was not obtained from the tissue, it was not possible to match it with the nearly 100 percent certainty that DNA results usually offer, the sources added."
*END*
___

okay so the article says "the fingernail tissue" in the first sentence and calls it a "match."
Then in the second sentence it states, "DNA pattern was not obtained from the tissue", and "it was not possible to match it."

Darn, which is it?

It does not sound as if what was under her nails was tissue, meaning there was no skin from digging somebody. So what was the DNA??

[onyx]

Nifong is awfully desperate.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Hadn't thought of that possibility, darby, but the odds that DNA belongs to that particular gentleman are probably in the neighborhood of 100%.

Question is: why wasn't tons of DNA found on those false nails found all over the floor in the toilet where she claims to have been gang raped?

[Peach]

I just heard on FNC that the cabbie was arrested because 2+ years ago he drove a woman who LATER went on to the mall and stole five purses.

Did he know this woman and help her commit the crime in some way?

[Neverforget01]

Thanks to all for the ping. I can't believe what I'm waking up to.

DNA "match" (sort of) on a press on nail in a garbage can?

Intimidation of a defense witness?

I'm speechless!

[Mercat]

I didn't think you could post bond with a personal check for crying out loud.

[Locomotive Breath]

If I'm reading the report right in the Raleigh N&O, he drove a fare to the mall, the fare shoplifted, and then he drove her home. But he says he knew nothing about the shoplifting.

Lacrosse defense witness arrested

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

Ping

[Peach]

Thanks for the link; I only knew what FNC reported.

[maggief]

I don't know, Peach. It doesn't sound like it from this excerpt from the article in post #25 ...

Elmostafa said he later received a call asking him to speak with Hecht's security. The security officer at Hecht's said Hawkins had stolen some purses before getting into the taxi, Elmostafa said.

Elmostafa said he gave the woman's address and a copy of his driver's license to the security guard, who thanked him for his help.

"I am not responsible for what she did inside the store," Elmostafa said. "I am just a taxi driver."

Hawkins pleaded guilty to the larceny three months later.

[Neverforget01]

Is the DNA "match" to our Pancho Villa lax player?

Even though none of the lax players are permitted facial hair?

[snarkytart]

I just heard on FNC that the cabbie was arrested because 2+ years ago he drove a woman who LATER went on to the mall and stole five purses.

Did he know this woman and help her commit the crime in some way?

___

Who knows, and what difference does it make!

The DA is a snake.....hisssssssssssssss! He needs to be put in check.