The lab was performing mitochondrial DNA typing, which yields genetic profiles from dead cells found in hair and bone. The more commonly known nuclear DNA typing is performed on living cell tissue from blood or skin. It is useful now. Power has said that he is troubled by contamination at LabCorp, and ruled Wednesday in favor of a second round of tests. Schneider maintains that contamination problems at LabCorp have been exaggerated and he believes LabCorp's findings are accurate.
Power still needs to decide whether mitochondrial evidence can be admitted at trial at all.
Power ruled against an objection from Larry Willey, one of Holtzer's lawyers, that delaying the trial again deprived Holtzer of his right to a speedy trial. Holtzer's December assault conviction and prison sentence mean Holtzer is not being held in jail unnecessarily while awaiting trial, Power said. Willey also failed to convince Power that a delay of several more months would prejudice Holtzer because defense witnesses would no longer be able to recall events and testify at trial. The Traverse City Record-Eagle. All rights reserved.