DNA Clears Herndon Murder Suspect, Lawyer Says: Report

A Herndon man accused of murdering a Loudoun County mother and her adult son could be exonerated by DNA evidence, his lawyer claims according to a report.

Brian Welsh, 38, faces two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of Mala Manwani, 65, and her son Rishi, 32. WTOP reports that Welsh's attorney, Thomas Walsh, claims that DNA found on the wallet on Rishi Manwani's chest does not belong to his client.

Authorities recovered seven bullet casings from the victims' bodies from a .22 pistol, and Welsh's family turned a pistol over to investigators, but Walsh claims that prosecutors haven't done any forensic testing of the bullets, according to the report.

The Manwanis were found with multiple gunshot wounds Jan. 31 at the home in the 25000 block of Tomey Court. Police were notified by a co-worker who said the woman had not come to work that week. She is not believed to be the intended target.

Instead, police say Welsh and the younger Manwani knew each other and had been involved in narcotics activity inside the home. Several police agencies were involved in an exhaustive investigation over the past six weeks. The gun used in the murders was found, and it matched shell casings found at the scene.

Additional reporting by Patch editor Skip Wood

Image via Loudoun County Sheriff's Office