Thursday, April 30, 2020

Post-Dateline Blog #5


Post-Dateline Question #5: Bruises – Could the Super Ninja Chokehold Create Them?
Do Jesse’s bruises match the state’s theory of the crime? Let me first state that this post is graphic. If talking about and hearing about the crime itself is unsettling for you, then you might find this a tough read. But understanding the nature of the crime gives a much clearer picture of how it was most likely committed. Dateline had a diagram of injuries on Jesse’s body, but it’s important to know what those injuries actually were. Read the rest at: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBarriLBumgarner/

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Post Dateline Question: How do you argue with DNA and trace evidence?

A continued major talking point from “Before Daylight” which aired Friday, April 24th on @DatelineNBC, has been The Evidence – especially what was in Jesse’s apartment and on Jesse’s body (DNA and trace evidence).
The burning question: what about those hairs on Jesse’s chest and the DNA under his fingernails?
This question is arguably the most controversial element of the case. Jesse Valencia had DNA from two contributors, aside from his own, under one pinky fingernail. One minuscule dot of DNA from two other people. Ed McDevitt and Steven Rios. And let me say that again: microscopic DNA under one fingernail.
Special Prosecutor Morley Swingle made a valid point that the chances were 1 in a trillion that this DNA belonged to someone else (aside from what matched McDevitt). He belabored the point, making it clear that this dot of DNA belonged to Steven Rios. All Swingle proved was... Read the rest at: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBarriLBumgarner/

Saturday, April 25, 2020