Updated (12/15 2pm) Jose Valencia was found guilty on Tuesday of murdering Maria Rodriguez in September 2013.
Medford, Ore. — A handful of forensic experts took the stand Friday, in the murder trial of Jose Valencia. The Medford man is accused of stabbing Maria Rodriguez to death on September 1, 2013. Friday, forensic scientists testified about DNA and prints collected from evidence including a cell phone, bicycle, and the alleged murder weapon.
Jurors heard testimony from the scientist who tested the knife found near the scene of the crime. His analysis was that the blade contained DNA from Rodriguez, while the handle of the knife contained DNA from Valencia.
The defense called into question the chain of custody of several of those items, and questioned why some of the prints collected from evidence weren’t compared to prints given by Valencia.
Valencia has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case could go to the jury as soon as Wednesday.
© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.