Request To Toss Out Evidence Denied In Julie Hanson Murder Case

NAPERVILLE, IL — A Will County judge denied a request to toss out evidence that was gathered at the home of Barry Lee Whelpley, 76, who is charged in the 1972 murder of 15-year-old Naperville resident Julie Ann Hanson, Daily Herald reports.

Whelpley's lawyer, Terry Ekl, contended that searching his client's phone and computer files would not be pertinent to the investigation of a 1972 murder. He also asserted that the search took place too long after the murder, at which time Whelpley did not live in Minnesota.

Whelpley was living in Naperville in early July 1972 when Julie Ann Hanson was reported missing. Hanson's body was found in a field near the intersection of Modaff Road and 87th Street. Police found Hanson had been stabbed dozens of times and sexually assaulted.

Hanson's murder remained unsolved for nearly 50 years. In June 2021, first-degree murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault charges were filed against Whelpley after Naperville police employed a genetic genealogy company to try to find possible forensic matches for DNA found on Hanson's body.

During the subsequent search of Whelpley's house, police found a discarded water bottle and a dental pick that prosecutors contend have DNA that matches DNA gathered from Hanson's body.

Whelpley, who is being held in Will County Jail on $10 million bond, is set to appear in court again Jan. 4.

More via Daily Herald

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1972 Murder Defendant Has 1st Will County Court Hearing