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Mistrial Declared Over Decades-Old Evidence in Girl's Murder
8 Apr
Summary
- Mistrial declared due to revelation about old evidence handling.
- Defendant arrested in 2019 for 1986 murder of 11-year-old girl.
- Forensic scientist's note about body bag use raised contamination concerns.
A mistrial was declared last week in Stamford, Connecticut, for the 1986 murder and kidnapping case of Kathleen Flynn, an 11-year-old sixth grader. The trial of Marc Karun, 60, was halted due to a surprising revelation about evidence handling from nearly 40 years ago.
Prosecutors disclosed an email from retired Norwalk police lieutenant Robert Fabrizzio. He stated that shortly after Flynn's body was found in 1986, a state crime lab officer informed him the victim was disposed of in a used body bag. This information was reportedly from Henry Lee, a renowned forensic scientist and head of the state crime lab at the time, who died last month.
Fabrizzio expressed concerns about possible evidence contamination, leading Judge John Blawie to declare the mistrial, though charges against Karun were not dismissed. State Attorney Paul Ferencek expressed disappointment for Flynn's family, who have awaited justice for four decades.
Prosecutors are now investigating the validity of this revelation with the medical examiner's office and the state crime lab. Agency spokesperson Rick Green stated the information was a surprise and they stand by their previous testimony. Karun, who previously served 10 years for other assaults and kidnapping, was arrested in 2019 based on DNA advancements and case similarities to other attacks. Investigators found nearly 90 guns in his Maine home, and he has a federal gun charge plea pending.
