Expert testifies DNA evidence found on Teixeira shirt

A crime scene expert took the stand Wednesday in the double-murder trial of Bampumim Teixeira, testifying that DNA consistent with that of Lina Bolanos and Richard Field could be found in blood stains on the yellow shirt Teixeira wore on May 5, 2017, the day prosecutors say he forced his way into the doctors’ South Boston penthouse, handcuffed them and stabbed them to death.

Julie James, a criminalist in the DNA section of the Boston Police crime lab, said she tested 20 items, including two blood stains from the shirt, two stains from a pair of boots, knives and a mask found at the murder scene, as well as fingernail clippings from the victims and an oral swab from the defendant.

One blood stain on Teixeira’s shirt included DNA consistent with that of Bolanos, James testified in Suffolk County Superior Court, and the other included DNA consistent with Field’s.

The stain on the right boot, she said, included DNA that was a mixture from three or more people, two of whom were the main contributors: Bolanos and Teixeira, and the stain on the left boot was a two-person mixture that was consistent with the same two people’s DNA, although primarily Teixeira’s.

Amanda Armstrong of the Boston police latent print unit testified that no fingerprints were recovered from a number of items found at the crime scene, including eyeglasses, laundry detergent and a mask.

“Certainly, wearing gloves would prevent you from leaving any fingerprints behind,” Armstrong said.

The only fingerprints that were found were on a roll of duct tape, as well as on a case and Ziploc bag, both containing jewelry, she said.

The prosecution is expected to rest its case Thursday. Defense attorney Steven Sack declined to say whether Teixeira would testify.

A native of Colombia, Bolanos, 38, worked at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, while Field, a 49-year-old British native, worked at North Shore Pain Management in Beverly. The two anesthesiologists planned to marry last year.

The trial will resume at 9:30 a.m..

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2LodWCG