TrueAllele helps resolve Texas double murder DNA case

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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v Michael Robinson

TrueAllele links defendant to bandana

Crime On May 6, 2013, local rapper Lawrence Short (29) and friend Tyrone Coleman (18) were fatally shot on a Duquesne porch.
Evidence A discarded black bandana was collected from the crime scene.
DNA The Allegheny County Crime laboratory developed complex DNA mixture data from the bandana.
Match The lab was unable to interpret the mixture data, and drew no conclusions about the defendant from the DNA evidence.
TrueAllele On the same data, TrueAllele separated out genotypes, connecting the bandana Michael Robinson with a match statistic of 1.49 billion.
Cybergenetics    Following a pre-trial hearing, the defense was denied access to TrueAllele's source code. In February 2017, Dr. Mark Perlin testified at trial in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Outcome The court found Robinson not guilty. On February 7, 2017, Robinson was acquitted of homicide.
Documents

  • Judge ruling on source code Cybergenetics Newsroom

  • Media

    • Man sought in double-fatal Duquesne shooting WPXI
    • Court denies Duquesne man’s motion to examine DNA program in homicide trial TribLive
    • Appellate court refuses to hear DNA case Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    • Trial opens in 2013 double homicide in Pittsburgh WJAC
    • 'Hard-working family guy' found not guilty of double homicide in Duquesne WTAE
    • Man acquitted in 2013 Duquesne double homicide CBS Pittsburgh