Crime and Courts

Lawyers Seek Evidence Dismissal in Runner Slaying Case

Lawyers for the man charged with killing a Google employee from New York who went missing while out for a run in Massachusetts in 2016 questioned the competency of police investigating the case during a hearing to get DNA evidence thrown out

Picture of empty judge's seat with American flag in the background.
Stock Photo

What to Know

  • In a hearing on Wednesday, lawyers for Angelo Colon-Ortiz stated that the police illegally collected DNA samples from Colon-Ortiz.
  • Angelo Colon-Ortiz has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in the death of Vanessa Marcotte, 27, in the town of Princeton.
  • Marcotte was visiting her mother in 2016 when she failed to return from a run. Her body was found hours later in the nearby woods.

Lawyers for the man charged with killing a Google employee from New York who went missing while out for a run in Massachusetts in 2016 questioned the competency of police investigating the case during a hearing to get DNA evidence thrown out.

Angelo Colon-Ortiz has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in the death of Vanessa Marcotte, 27, in the town of Princeton.

Watch NBC 4 free wherever you are

Watch button  WATCH HERE

Colon-Ortiz’s lawyers in a hearing Wednesday said DNA samples collected by state police in March 2017 were obtained illegally and their client didn’t fully understand their questions because he only speaks Spanish and believed he had no choice but to provide his DNA sample, The Telegram & Gazette reported.

They also allege his rights were not properly explained to him.

Get Tri-state area news delivered to your inbox with NBC New York's News Headlines newsletter.

Newsletter button  SIGN UP

The state police testified that they explained to Colon-Ortiz what they wanted and that he read and signed a consent form that was in Spanish.

The judge did not rule Wednesay and proceedings are scheduled to continue Thursday.

Marcotte was visiting her mother in 2016 when she failed to return from a run. Her body was found hours later in the nearby woods.

Copyright The Associated Press
Contact Us