That is interesting Charlie, and from what I have just read over at CTV on the Phil Spector thread, it could be our case could even get more interesting!
I only have just read the jist of this, but in Ca they have a rule of reciprocal evidence. After the forensic team and crime scene investigators take down the tape on a crime scene, the defense does have the opportunity to go through it. If they find anything they are bound to share it or notify the prosecution they have located something which might be evidenciary.
I don't know what the laws are in NC, but if what has been thrown out to us is true, and at the same time as when the tooth was found by the family {say within a couple of days or till the cleaning crew came in}, if something else was taken from the scene and withheld for months, and finally turned over to the defense attny, couldn't that also be a problem at trial?
In the Spector trial the judge spoke of 'moved evidence' which caused a mini trial within the big trial, and the judge listed many violations against the defense.
I would think a family member witholding evidence from LE for a period of time could be just as serious as the fact that LE asked for certain evidence to be collected and the ME failed to do so. Hmmmmmmmmm LOL