TrueAllele solves 1963 Winnebago cold case using “inconclusive” DNA

Back to Trials

State of Tennessee v Horace Williamson

Robbery in bar parking lot ends in double homicide

Crime In the early morning of August 17, 2018, a group of four friends was robbed by masked and armed suspects in the parking lot of a Nashville bar, The Cobra. This crime ended in the deaths of Jaime Sarrantonio and Bartley Brandon Teal.
Evidence An allegedly stolen vehicle was recovered after the crime. Swabs were taken from several spots on the vehicle, including the interior front passenger side door handle.
DNA The Metro Nashville Police Department Crime Lab produced DNA data from the vehicle door swabs.
Match Using manual interpretation, the crime lab was able to identify a partial major contributor from the evidence data. However, the lab was unable to make any comparisons to the minor contributor due to the limited minor DNA data obtained.
TrueAllele TrueAllele connected the front passenger door handle swab to Mr. Williamson with a match statistic of 277.
Cybergenetics    On June 23, 2023 Cybergenetics analyst Jennifer Bracamontes testified before a Davidson County jury about the TrueAllele DNA results.
Outcome On June 27, 2023, a Davidson County jury returned a guilty verdict on all 13 charges against Mr. Williamson. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Media

  • East Nashville shootings: Victims linked to Nashville music community The Tennessean
  • Cobra Bar double-murder: Accused East Nashville shooters to stand trial separately, judge says WSMV
  • Prosecution rests in Cobra Bar murder trial WKRN
  • First defendant in Cobra Bar murders found guilty: 'Nothing short of chilling' The Tennessean
  • Cobra Bar murder suspect found guilty of all charges WKRN
  • Cobra bar double murder suspect sentenced to life in prison News Channel 5 Nashville