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Estate of Gregory Hill v Sheriff of St. Lucie County and Deputy Christopher Newman
Computer analyzes evidence from police-involved shooting
| Crime | On January 14, 2014, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a complaint of loud music coming from the home of Gregory Hill Jr. During the event, Deputy Christopher Newman fatally shot Mr. Hill, who was allegedly holding a firearm, through his garage door. Mr. Hill’s family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit after his death. |
| Evidence | After the incident, SWAT team members found a KelTec pistol in Mr. Hill’s back pocket. |
| DNA | The Indian River Crime Laboratory generated DNA data from the swabbing of the pistol grips and trigger. |
| Match | The laboratory could not exclude Mr. Hill as a contributor to the three person DNA mixture and further concluded that there was an insufficient amount or quality of the DNA to make any determination. |
| TrueAllele | TrueAllele separated out the mixture contributors from the 2014 DNA data, and calculated an inclusionary match statistic between the evidence and Mr. Hill of 294 thousand. |
| Cybergenetics | On July 22, 2022, Cybergenetics analyst William Allan testified before a federal civil court jury about the TrueAllele DNA results. |
| Outcome | On July 27, 2022, the jury cleared the Sheriff’s Department and Deputy Newman of any civil wrongdoing in connection with the shooting. |
Media
- A man was shot and killed by police. A jury gave his family $4. - The Washington Post
- 'My heart just dropped.' $4 verdict shocks family of man killed by police - NBC News
- Family of Florida man killed by sheriff's deputy argues to overturn $4 verdict award - USA Today
- Family of man killed by St. Lucie County sheriff’s deputy await appeals ruling in $4 verdict award - TCPalm
- $4 verdict awarded to family of man killed by St. Lucie County sheriff’s deputy tossed on appeal - TCPalm
- New trial underway for family of man killed by Florida deputies and awarded just $4 - ABC 25 WPBF News
- Jury says no wrongdoing by St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office in 2014 death of Greg Hill - WPTV5 West Palm Beach
- Federal jury exonerates St. Lucie County sheriff and former deputy in 2014 fatal shooting of Gregory Hill Jr. - TCPalm