|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Arrest made 13 years after the crime
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007 |
PINELLAS COUNTY – Thirteen years ago a woman who lived in the Lealman area was sexually assaulted by an unknown assailant. Thanks to new advances in DNA technology, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office detectives finally have a suspect.
Detectives announced that David Allen Ginther, 37, was arrested about 1:35 p.m. on Oct. 9 at his home at 6030 150th Ave. N., Lot #72, in the unincorporated area of Clearwater in connection with the unsolved crime.
According to the detectives, the victim, 26, who was not identified, had been sleeping along with four children in her home located in a multifamily dwelling in the Lealman area on June 15, 1994, when the suspect entered the home through an unlocked bedroom window about 4:30 a.m.
Detectives said the suspect placed a metal object to the victim’s throat and told her that he would kill her if she did not cooperate. The suspect then blindfolded the victim and led her out of the room where two children slept.
The victim was taken into a vacant bedroom, where she was sexually battered for an hour. The suspect then fled from the scene.
Detectives investigating the crime submitted evidence for DNA analysis and exhausted all leads, however no suspect was identified and the case remained unsolved.
Detectives resubmitted evidence for DNA testing in May 2007 as part of a cold case investigation. Newer DNA technology was used to analyze evidence that had previously been tested 13 years ago.
In August of 2007, a laboratory report from the reanalysis provided a new DNA profile for the unknown suspect. Detectives said the new DNA profile was entered into the Combined DNA Indexing System and matched the Ginther’s profile.
Detectives then resubmitted latent prints lifted from the crime scene, and a palm print lifted from inside the crime scene also matched Ginther’s.
Ginther was arrested without incident on one count of armed sexual battery. Detectives said the suspect had made no admissions.
The investigation continues.
|
Article published on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tampa Bay Newspapers
9911 Seminole Blvd.
Seminole, FL 33772
(727) 397-5563
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
|
|
