DNA Evidence Tossed Out In Murder Case Of UT-Austin Student

AUSTIN, TX — Part of the DNA evidence prosecutors say tie a man to the murder of University of Texas student Haruka Weiser has been tossed out of his upcoming murder trial amid concerns over forensic testing by the Texas Department of Public Safety, according to a published report.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, state District Judge David Wahlberg on Wednesday faulted the work of a DPS forensic DNA analyst for using new software the agency switched to around the time of Weiser's April 2016 death. Meechaiel Criner is due to stand trial for the death of the murdered student, who was found along a darkened path along the portion of Waller Creek that runs through campus.

The analyst said that under the previous DNA testing protocol, Criner would not have been a match to DNA found on Weiser's right thigh, according to the report. But using the updated software, it was found exponentially more likely the DNA found belonged to Weiser and Criner both than to Weiser and someone else.

As a result, the judge tossed out the DNA samples taken from the woman's thigh along with samples taken from her eyeglasses, the Statesman reported. The lead prosecutor in the case said he is doubtful the state will appeal Wahlberg's ruling, clearing the way for a jury trail scheduled to start on July 9, according to the report.

>>> Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

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