Murder Defendant Will Independently Test DNA Evidence 

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In a hearing on Aug. 2, before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan, William Ransford, 59, asserted his right to independently test DNA evidence

Ransford is charged with first-degree murder and second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal strangulation of Debra McManus, 39, at the 400 block of Trenton Street, SE on Oct. 23, 1993. He was charged with the decades old murder after his DNA was discovered on the victim’s sock.

It was unclear what items would be included in the testing. 

Parties are slated to meet again on Dec. 17.