Home / Crime and Justice / Texas Lab That Nabbed Kohberger Could Aid Murdaugh Defense
Texas Lab That Nabbed Kohberger Could Aid Murdaugh Defense
5 Jul
Summary
- Murdaugh attorneys want Othram to test unknown male DNA.
- Othram previously identified suspects in high-profile cases.
- A new trial for Alex Murdaugh is set for April 2027.
Alex Murdaugh's attorneys are requesting that Othram Inc., a forensic genetic genealogy company, analyze unknown male DNA discovered beneath his late wife Maggie's fingernails. This lab, based in The Woodlands, Texas, gained national attention for its pivotal role in identifying Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the 2022 University of Idaho murders.
Othram's advanced DNA testing capabilities have also been instrumental in solving other cold cases, including the 1974 Lady of the Dunes and the 1974 Carla Walker murder. The company also assisted in identifying a Gilgo Beach victim and Rachel Morin. Prosecutors in the Murdaugh case argue that the existing DNA evidence is partial and not suitable for national databases.
Murdaugh's defense team aims to use the potential Othram testing to support an alternate-suspect theory as they prepare for a new double-murder trial, tentatively scheduled for April 2027. The judge has yet to rule on the request, pending clarification on the sample's viability.
