A New Mexico woman who became a national advocate for pre-conviction DNA testing of criminal suspects after her daughter was murdered made her case to Pennsylvania lawmakers.
Jayann Sepich told the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday it took three years to apprehend and convict her daughter Katie's killer -- even though he was arrested for burglary three months after her murder in 2003 -- because New Mexico then lacked such a law.
Sepich backs a Pennsylvania bill to require police to collect DNA from suspects accused of certain crimes after arrest, but before conviction.
It received a cool reception from Pennsylvania State Police.
Lt. Col. Scott Snyder says it may make more sense to expand the present law, which limits DNA testing to people convicted of certain crimes.
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Copyright AP - Associated Press
