TrueAllele solves 1963 Winnebago cold case using “inconclusive” DNA

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State of Idaho v Jessica Colpitts

TrueAllele unravels DNA in jealousy killing

Crime On May 22, 2017, Samantha Figani (23) was shot at the front door of her home in Orofino, Idaho. She died in the hospital. Her boyfriend had revealed an hour earlier to an ex, Jessica Colpitts, that he and Figani were dating, and a friend had driven Colpitts to Figani’s house. Colpitts was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Evidence DNA was swabbed from gloves and other articles of clothing that matched what Colpitts was seen wearing on the day of the murder.
DNA Sorenson Forensics produced the DNA data from the evidence.
Match Manual interpretation of the data was inconclusive – there were too many contributors for the method.
TrueAllele On the same DNA data, the computer’s statistic connecting the gloves with Colpitts was 95.5 thousand. A match between other articles of clothing and Colpitts were in the sextillions.
Cybergenetics    On March 21, 2019, Beatriz Pujols testified at the trial in Clearwater, ID via video conference about the computer DNA match statistics.
Outcome On March 29, 2019, Jessica Colpitts was found guilty of murder in the first degree.
Media

  • Woman arrested, charged with murder in connection to fatal Orofino shooting KREM
  • FBI helps search for 2017 murder weapon in Orofino pond KREM
  • Jessica Colpitts murder trial begins in Idaho County, first witness takes the stand KLEW
  • Colpitts Trial Day 4: Doctor's testimony, DNA analysts link evidence to murder suspect KLEW
  • Murder trial continues in Idaho County Clearwater Tribune
  • Jury finds Jessica Colpitts guilty of murder Lewiston Tribune
  • Jury finds Jessica Colpitts guilty of murdering Samantha Fignani KLEW
  • Orofino woman found guilty of first-degree murder in 2017 shooting Idaho County Free Press