GUILTY NJ - Barbara Vernieri, 70, murdered in her home, East Rutherford, 14 Sept 2012 *Retrial granted 2022

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Rochat defense expert criticizes DNA testing by prosecutor's office

http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/crime/2017/06/08/rochat-defense-expert-criticizes-dna-testing-prosecutors-office/379183001/

According to Coyle, the test to determine the presence of blood was inconclusive. She said the leuco crystal violet [LCV] should not have been used to determine if blood was present and that a Kastle Meyers test should have been performed first. Coyle's argument was that a Kastle Meyes test confirms the presence of human blood while LCV can fluoresce at the presence of hemoglobin, plant material, animal blood or heavy metals.

Potter focused on the fingernail clippings taken from Vernieri, where small amounts of DNA were found. A YSDR test was performed on the clippings, which is used in specific cases where there is a mix of male and female DNA and specifically targets male DNA. Coyle examined a summary chart of the YSDR tests and said that there were gaps in the data because of the small amounts of DNA found underneath Vernieri’s fingernails.

The test revealed that, statistically Rochat — or any of his paternal relatives — could be a match for the DNA, but it was a “relatively low match” and that one in 333 people would have the exact same result. When Coyle did her own testing, she said her results were one in 379 due her testing being done at a later date, therefore the database was updated.

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Defense attorney argues DNA evidence should exonerate Rochat

http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/crime/2017/06/13/defense-attorney-argues-dna-evidence-should-exonerate-rochat/394232001/

Jim Doyle, one of Rochat's attorneys, said the testimony of Melissa Huyck, who was the prosecution's DNA expert, was "without a doubt one of the most disappointing things [he's] ever seen by a scientist on the stand."

During his summations, Doyle attempted to cast doubt on a number of pieces of evidence, including the DNA evidence, noting that Rochat's DNA was not found in Vernieri's home and Vernieri's blood was not found anywhere it was not supposed to be. It was not found in Rochat's apartment in Wood-Ridge, it was not found in the family shore house in Toms River, it was not found on his shoes, it was not found in either of his cars, he said.

Prosecutor Danielle Grootenboer will begin her closing arguments Wednesday morning before jury instruction and deliberations.

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Wood-Ridge man found guilty in woman's murder

Daniel Rochat was found guilty Thursday in the murder of Barbara Vernieri.

Claps could be heard and Vernieri's family and friends sitting in the gallery cried and gasped in relief as the jury found Rochat guilty on all charges. Rochat, of Wood-Ridge, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 28 at 1:30 p.m.

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Wood-Ridge man found guilty of 2012 murder gets life in prison

http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/crime/2017/07/28/wood-ridge-man-found-guilty-2012-murder-gets-life-prison/484741001/

On Friday, Superior Court Judge Margaret Foti sentenced Rochat, 42, to life in prison with the possibility of five years of supervised parole if he is ever released. He would be almost 106 years old when he becomes eligible for parole in 63.7 years.

Anne Vernieri Scanlon, Vernieri's daughter, recounted the relationship she had with her mother and how she and her family have suffered since her murder. She looked at Rochat and told him she would never see him again and would not waste another thought on him. She said that at Vernieri's funeral repast, Rochat told her to hold on to the memories of her mother while he stared at her with "souless, beastly eyes."

"Hold on to the memories of the life you had," Scanlon told Rochat on Friday.

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Attorneys for murder convict to dispute DNA evidence

A forensic test, criticized by the FBI for being too inconclusive, is being challenged by the attorneys for Daniel Rochat, a Wood-Ridge man serving a life sentence for murder, because the test was used as evidence to secure his conviction.

Attorneys for Rochat say their client could win a new trial if a Superior Court judge dismisses the DNA test, known as low copy number, on the grounds that its results are unreliable and could have produced matches with a number of men.

A hearing is scheduled before Judge Margaret Foti in Hackensack on Tuesday, where DNA experts will testify on LCN, and how it linked Rochat to Vernieri, who was viciously beaten and then set on fire in her East Rutherford home.

 

[JerseyGirl]

N.J. man convicted of killing woman, setting her on fire to get new trial due to DNA issue

 

[joe jones]

I think we will see more challenges to DNA evidence as analysts go beyond what the actual DNA evidence can scientifically be testified to,