VERDICT WATCH NY - Dr. Mary Yoder, 60, fatally poisoned, Whitesboro, 22 July 2015

[Harmony 2]

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness outlines 4 steps in DNA analysis. 1) extraction 2) quantitation 3) amplification 4) get final pic of DNA profile

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: inclusion-you can say a certain person contributed to a DNA profile. Exclusion-they can't. Or-inconclusive.

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness analyzed multiple items in this case

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness received glass vial Jan., 2016 for analysis

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness IDs small envelope with swabbings she took from vial, & Conley's swab

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: mixture means more than 1 contributor of DNA

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness IDs her DNA report. DNA profile from vial mix of 3 contributors. Not suitable for comparison due, in part, to volume of contributors

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
Nestlerode: vial showed @ least 3 contributors of DNA--not suitable for comparison due to "low levels of activity"

Rocco LaDuca‏ @RoccoLaDuca
Mixture of DNA from 3 contributors found on glass vial - but could not immediately be tested due to low quantity in Jan 2016

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
In November of 2016, the lab began using new methods of analysis

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: Nov. 30, 2016, lab started using new method of testing DNA. Strmix underwent rigorous testing

 

[Harmony 2]

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: strmix allowed for additional testing of vial & known standard

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness IDs another DNA report with results of strmix analysis. Mix of 3 contributors. Conley can't be excluded

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: Kaitlyn Conley can't be excluded as donor of major component

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: major donor contributed 80% of contribution to mixture

Rocco LaDuca‏ @RoccoLaDuca
Test result: Kaitlyn found to be major contributor (80%) of DNA found in mix of 3 on glass vial (of colchicine)

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness shows Conley's DNA profile on monitor

 

[Niner]

Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 47s48 seconds ago
Nestlerode developed DNA profiles from both the vial and Conley’s “known standard” - vial DNA profile was mixture of at least 3 contributors


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 35s35 seconds ago
Replying to @CaraThomasNews
Because of the low levels in that mixture, she was unable to make any comparisons.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 3m3 minutes ago
Replying to @CaraThomasNews
Later in 2016, lab began using new software program which helps analyze DNA profiles


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 2m2 minutes ago
Replying to @CaraThomasNews
With new software they did new analysis of DNA mixture found on vial - “Kaitlyn Conley can not be excluded as the major contributor.”

 

[Harmony 2]

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness IDs William Yoder's known standard, Adam Yoder's known standard (their DNA)

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness developed DNA profiles for William & Adam Yoder

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: Adam Yoder excluded as a contributor to evidence profile (on vial)

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
Could not find DNA from other 2 contributors--too small

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
Nestlerode: took "known samples" from Adam & William Yoder-able to exclude Adam Yoder as contributor to DNA profile on vial

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR Unable to exclude William Yoder- performed another analysis. Inconclusive- no conclusion can be made for him as contributor

:thud:

 

[Niner]

Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 44s45 seconds ago
Replying to @CaraThomasNews
Nestlerode says Conley’s DNA was about 80% of the mixture


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 7m7 minutes ago
Replying to @CaraThomasNews
Software could not find DNA types for other contributors because the levels were so small.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 6m6 minutes ago
Nestlerode also analyzed known standards from William Yoder and Adam Yoder - created DNA profiles.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 3m3 minutes ago
Replying to @CaraThomasNews
Adam Yoder was excluded as contributor to DNA mixture found on vial


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 2m2 minutes ago
Replying to @CaraThomasNews
William Yoder was unable to be excluded as possible contributor to DNA mixture on vial - did analysis through software


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 31s32 seconds ago
Replying to @CaraThomasNews
Results from software showed it was 115x more likely that mixture was 3 unknown contributors than if W. Yoder was contributor


My bold on Adam being excluded

 

[Harmony 2]

Rocco LaDuca‏ @RoccoLaDuca
But what about unknown 3rd contributor of DNA on vial of colchicine???

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
Nestlerode: touch DNA--comes from an item that could be handled by somebody (usually skin cells)

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: someone who sheds more will leave more skin cells. More can be left on a rough surface. Vial smooth. Cap rough.

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: transfer DNA comes from handling an object

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
Nestlerode:transfer DNA-contact w object & leave DNA behind on object. Another person can touch item after & get a small transfer of ur DNA

 

[Harmony 2]

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Prosecution done; defense begins cross examination

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Defense: you were asked to see if there was DNA from Kaitlyn Conley, W. Yoder & A. Yoder?

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Defense: were you asked to test for Mary Yoder's DNA? No

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris Defense: so there's a 3rd, unknown person's DNA on vial? Yes

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
Policelli pointing out there's a third persons DNA on the vial and we don't know who that person is

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: don't know how DNA got on bottle

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Defense: did you do any testing to see if Kaitlyn Conley a shredder? Witness: there is no test for that

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Defense: if I were to handle that vial with gloves, would my DNA be on it? Unlikely/

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Defense: you could be a majority contributor of DNA by touching it weeks before it's tested? Yes

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Defense: you really can't tell us where on vial or cap Kaitlyn Conley's DNA was? No

 

[Niner]

Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 2m2 minutes ago
Nestlerode now explaining what touch DNA is.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 57s58 seconds ago
Nestlerode explains “transfer DNA” - leaving DNA behind on an object and possibly being transferred onto someone else.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 3m3 minutes ago
Cross examination begins: Policelli suggesting there could have been a dozen contributors on the vial.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 3m3 minutes ago
Replying to @CaraThomasNews
Nestlerode says it’s possible, but those low level contributors were not detected during analysis.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 3m3 minutes ago
Nestlerode says she doesn’t know how DNA got on the vial.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 2m2 minutes ago
Nestlerode says if someone is wearing gloves, DNA from a person’s hands would not transfer onto the object.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 51s51 seconds ago
Nestlerode: Can’t say for certain that Conley touched the vial because she doesn’t know how DNA got on the item.

 

[Harmony 2]

Rocco LaDuca‏ @RoccoLaDuca
Now as def atty Frank Policelli questions, expert says bottle never tested to see if victim Mary Yoder's DNA on it

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: I do not know how the DNA got on to the item

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
Policelli: you can't tell us it was actually handled by Conley right? Nestlerode: no

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Prosecution: you can never say how DNA got on an object, can you? No.

 

[Niner]

Maybe the person who sent the vial has his/her DNA on the vial. I'm going to assume someone at this place took the vial off the shelf to mail....

 

[Harmony 2]

I am a little confused... which happens often unfortunately :giggle:
Regarding the package delivered to the clinic, where is it? Was it located?

 

[Harmony 2]

Rocco LaDuca‏ @RoccoLaDuca
Expert also acknowledges she doesn't know how Kaitlyn's DNA got on colchicine vial- can't prove if she handled it

[video=twitter;923202766092357634]https://twitter.com/jleblanc_WUTR/status/923202766092357634[/video]

Defense done. Brief redirect. Next witness: Eric Christensen- works for NYS Thruway Authority

 

[Niner]

2 minutes and my dinner will be ready....

I shall catch up the tweets for you all in a few....

 

[Niner]

better post these first....

Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 1m1 minute ago
Nestlerode steps off the witness stand. Eric Christensen is the prosecution’s next witness.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 2m2 minutes ago
Replying to @CaraThomasNews
Christensen is the Deputy Director of Operations with the NYS Thruway Authority.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 40s40 seconds ago
Witness describes how EZ Pass works.

 

[Harmony 2]

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
Christensen explaining EZ pass transactions and how they remain on file

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness explaining EZPASS to jury

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness going over steps taken to ensure accuracy of transactions

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
Christensen asked to look through EZ Pass records of both Adam and William Yoder

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness IDs multi-page exhibit as subpoena for EZPASS records for Adam Yoder & William Yoder

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Prosecutor turns witness' attention to Aug, 2015

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Going over Adam Yoder account.

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
Christensen: looking @ Adam Yoder's records from Aug-July 2015

 

[Harmony 2]

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: many assume any road you pay a toll on is the thruway

Enjoy your dinner Niner!

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: military time reflected on records

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
Christensen: from here to Long Island, mostly likely dealing w other authorities/ tolls other than NYS Thruway

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: going over specific transactions July 15, 2015. Adam Yoder entered thruway at Verona, eastbound toward NYC

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
Christensen: July 15, 2015 Adam Yoder entered thruway @ Verona 8:24 AM. Went across Catskill toll @ 11:37 AM

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: Adam Yoder crossed Hudson River 11:37 am

 

[Niner]

Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 13m13 minutes ago
Christensen ID’s subpoenaed records for Adam Yoder and William Yoder’s EZ Pass accounts.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 12m12 minutes ago
Replying to @CaraThomasNews
Looking at EZ Pass records for Adam Yoder from July 7, 2015 - August 6, 2015.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 3m3 minutes ago
July 15, 2015 - Yoder’s vehicle entered Thruway in Verona @ 8:24am, crossed Rip Van Winkle bridge @ 11:37am, Throgsneck bridge @ 1:40pm.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 2m2 minutes ago
Replying to @CaraThomasNews
No activity on A. Yoder’s EZ Pass July 16-20th.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 1m1 minute ago
July 21, 2015 - Crosses Throgsneck bridge at 11:08pm.


Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 48s48 seconds ago
Replying to @CaraThomasNews
July 22, 2015 - enters Thruway at Woodbury toll plaza @ 12:23am, exited Thruway in Verona @ 4:06am.

 

[Harmony 2]

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: car crossed Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx to Queens. Queens County connected to Long Island

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
Went through another toll heading to LI around 1 PM

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: No activity on Adam Yoder transponder again til July 21st

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Witness: July 31, back over TN bridge 11:08 pm. July 22, Woodbury toll 23 min after midnight. Exits Verona thruway 4:06 am

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
No activity on Adam's account again until July 21. Heads back to NYS @ 11:08 PM and arrives in Verona around 4 AM on July 22

Julia LeBlanc WUTR‏ @jleblanc_WUTR
No cross examination. Brief morning break--Christensen off stand

Joleen Ferris‏ @joleenferris
Prosecution done. No cross examination. Morning break

 

[Niner]

Cara Thomas‏ @CaraThomasNews 2m2 minutes ago
No cross examination. Christensen done testifying. Court takes a brief morning recess before next witness.

 

[Harmony 2]

straggler tweet

Rocco LaDuca‏ @RoccoLaDuca
After visiting sister, EZ Pass shows Adam leaving LI 11:08pm July 21, arriving in Verona 4:06 am July 22 (after mom sick)