|
|
|
Print match cited, defendant linked to Kennedy murder (The following article is reprinted from the Daily Bulletin, Wednesday, September 2, 1998. Thanks to Bill Leo for the submission.) By JASON Z. COHEN RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- A palm print left on the examination table next to the body of X--ray technician Colleen Kennedy matches that of murder defendant Gabriel Castaneda, a forensic specialist testified Tuesday at Castaneda's preliminary hearing. Castaneda, 38, is charged with first--degree murder and five other counts in connection with the death of Kennedy, 40, of Fontana on March 30. The charges include special allegations that could qualify him for the death penalty if convicted. A judge ruled Tuesday there is sufficient evidence to justify a trial for Castaneda, a native of El Monte who was living in Ontario when he was arrested. Not presented at Tuesday's hearing was evidence of a possible genetic match between Castaneda's DNA and that of bodily fluids found at the scene. The existence of a match is alleged in affidavits filed by Montclair police in support of search warrants served during their investigation. Deputy District Attorney Michael McDowell relied instead on the testimony of Forensic Specialist Richard Howie, who said the palm print found on a paper examination table liner matched Castaneda's. “I identified him as having made that print”, Howie said. “This came from his source -- his left hand.” Kennedy, her hands bound with a shoelace behind her back and a tube sock stuffed in her mouth, was stabbed in the neck more than two dozen times with a Phillips screwdriver. Her carotid artery and jugular vein were severed. “This cut off the blood flow to her brain, and this caused her to die,” said Monclair Police Detective Roger Rice. The palm print was left on the paper liner that covers the examination table on which Kennedy's partially clothed body was found. McDowell tried in his questioning to head off defense assertions that Castaneda, a patient at the medical office, could have left the print on a prior visit. Castaneda had visited the office for scheduled appointments on March 5 and March 9. He had briefly been in the room where Kennedy's body was found during both visits. Rice said the doctor who employed Kennedy insisted the paper be changed after every patient. Castaneda will be arraigned in Superior Court later this month.
This article was printed in “THE PRINT” |