I wanted to reply to Steleheart's post. I think there was a terrible lack of expert analysis of what could be implied from the evidence of all of the various stains and the processing results of those stains.
I think as a result of that that Steleheart might have read way too much into those semen stains. A stain on the knee of the leggings might simply mean that a male slept on a bed or couch and then Bella crawled over that surface soon after the male had awoken (or had sexual activity). We haven't really been told how closely those stains might tie into Bella's time of death or place of death, so I would be very wary of reading too much into that without an expert helping us to understand possible and reasonable implications of those stains and the results of the processing.
The saliva from the external genital swab belonged to Bella. When the DNA processing chart was up on the screen I paused it and looked down each column to assess it myself. Everything on that chart was consistent with Bella's DNA, and there was so much consistency that it didn't appear that it could be Rachelle's DNA. Even though Bella and Rachelle will share half their DNA by looking at those results there was no sign the DNA could have come from Rachelle.
How does saliva get there? I imagine it's just normal for a two-year old to suck their thumb, lick their fingers, not wash their hands, and then use the bathroom or touch their own body in various places?
I guess it's normal procedure to test for the presence of saliva on genital areas when a rape kit is done?
The fingernail scrapings were also on the same chart, and again they only showed Bella's DNA...no sign that Bella had scratched someone else in trying to fight off someone who was trying to hurt her.
Well without trying to read too much into those forensic results - only forming one example or theory based on that evidence, given a woefully incomplete analysis or presentation of it. I do not believe that no follow-up was done concerning the semen and saliva.
That is the problem with prosecuting a case with no evidence that proves beyond reasonable doubt. There are other possible theories based on that incomplete presentation as well. My best guess is that DNA testing on the saliva and semen came up inconclusive, or at worse 'unknown male'.
For instance RB is a known prostitute but the jury doesn't have that evidence before them. Nor do they have the evidence of semen and saliva AFAIK.. That evidence was presented before RB's plea deal. If it pointed to MM you can bet the DA would have included it in their case against him. If it pointed to an unknown then, well, let's just leave it out. It didn't help the Commonwealth.
Another theory is that Bella's clothing was just left on RB's bed - rarely washed. The joint was a mess. If MM was not around and RB needed money so she brought a john home...
Don't know.
I had that theory but then today I forgot the text that "Bel sends her love" along with the fact that MM didn't have a car when RB 'says' (he did kill her. he killed her) the murder and subsequent hostage and battered woman syndrome started.
So we are left with a jury who must read too much into the prosecution's case or else find not guilty. Worst case ( or best imo) hopelessly deadlocked.
We here have more evidence before us, as always, than the jury has unfortunately.
So we need to always critique theories which are based on what we know and how many theories can fit - and then why.
When what we do know is not part of the trial.
I think it's because we want justice. A major problem in this trial is that both the Judge and the DA are asking a jury to read too much into the plausible scenarios with zero evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.
So yes there are other theories as well. That in itself is problematic, IMO
ETA; The do have the prostitution evidence as given in her confirmed criminal record.
JMO