"Judge to rule today on David Leonard Wood's DNA tests," is the title of Adriana M. Chávez' report in today's El Paso Times.
A visiting judge is expected to rule today on whether DNA test results would have made a difference in the conviction of David Leonard Wood had they been presented during his 1992 jury trial.
A Dallas jury convicted Wood in the murders of six teenage girls and young women whose bodies were found buried in the Northeast El Paso desert. The same jury sentenced Wood to death, but his execution was postponed two years ago after his defense attorneys claimed he was mentally disabled.
During a hearing that started Tuesday and ended Wednesday, Wood's attorneys claimed DNA evidence found on a yellow sundress belonging to victim Dawn Smith matched her and the DNA of an unknown man. Two other tests on evidence belonging to victims Rosa Casio and Angelica Frausto were deemed inconclusive.
Visiting Judge Bert Richardson of San Antonio said he would make his ruling today and notify the Austin-based attorneys on both sides by next week.
Also on Wednesday, Richardson tentatively scheduled a hearing in October to determine whether Wood is mentally disabled. That hearing is expected to take less than a week and may include testimony from those familiar with Wood.
At the October hearing, attorneys may also discuss a potential request from defense attorney Gregory Wiercioch to test additional evidence, including up to 100 items, for DNA.
However, Assistant Attorney General Georgette Oden argued in court that many of those items may now be unable to be tested because of deterioration over time.
Earlier coverage of the state habeas hearing in David Wood's case begins at the link.
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