It was a deep dive into the world of DNA in the courtroom on Tuesday afternoon. The ex-boyfriend of Ana Lopes is accused of kidnapping and murdering the 25 year old, then burning her body in her car in nearby France.
Just as in the original trial, the prosecution requests life in prison for the man in the appeals trial. One of the main incriminating clues is a roll of grey adhesive tape found near the burnt out car and which contained traces DNA that could not, however, be clearly attributed.
For this reason, the defendant’s lawyers wanted to hear once more from the expert, who explained that traces of haplotype Y were identified, which could be attributed to a male member of the defendant’s family. This means himself, his son, his uncle or his brother.
The prosecution rejected the critiques and requests from the defense. The expert reports were valid, according to them. The request for consultation of a fourth expert was denied. The prosecutor reconstructed the events of the night in question, maintaining that only the defendant could have known all the necessary details.
In addition to that, his only alibi was that he walked his dogs that night. This could not be confirmed due to contradictory statements from himself and his family. “The truth is easy to tell even if it might be hard to admit. But when you invent it, it becomes complicated,” said the prosecutor. The cable tie found at the spot where Ana Lopes was attacked, as well as the roll of tape, are not sold in consumer stores. They are, however, in use at the garage where the defendant worked.
