Murder Defendant’s DNA ‘Likely ’ on Victim

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During a trial March 11, a DNA expert testified that a murder defendant’s DNA was “likely” included in a mixture of DNA found on a victim who was allegedly robbed, raped and murdered.

El Hadji Toure, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, first-degree sexual abuse and robbery while armed, among other offenses, for his alleged role in the death of 34-year-old Corrina Mehiel in an apartment on the 600 block of 14th Street, NE in March of 2017.

According to the expert, there were multiple forensic samples taken from Mehiel that included DNA from three individuals. The expert was able to assume Mehiel and her boyfriend were contributors of some of the DNA, as well as an unknown male contributor.

The expert said she was able to determine that Toure could be a possible contributor to DNA found in a vaginal swab.

The expert told the jury that the DNA profile obtained from the swab is at least “335 quadrillion times more likely” if it originated from Mehiel, her boyfriend and Toure than if it originated from Mehiel, her boyfriend and one unknown, unrelated individual.

The defense, however, said that although Toure’s DNA could potentially be a contributor, his genotype was not the “best fit” according to the forensic program used in the case. Another genotype combination held more weight as a contributor.

The expert said this does not rule Toure out, and that her assessment is based on the scenario she was given.

A backpack, apparently belonging to Toure, was also tested. The backpack resulted in positive peroxide testing, which means it could potentially contain blood. The expert said Mehiel’s DNA was a likely contributor to a mixture of DNA found on the backpack.

According to the prosecution, Toure is responsible for binding, sexually assaulting, and stabbing Mehiel to death as well as stealing her credit cards. Security footage at various ATM machines captured a black male withdrawing money from Mehiel’s account in the days after she was murdered.

The trial is scheduled to continue on March 12.