BALTIMORE — DNA evidence is expected to play a crucial role in the trial of two men accused of killing their three young relatives by beheading one child and nearly decapitating the other two last year.
Jury selection for the trial of Adan Canela, 18, and Policarpio Espinoza Perez, 23, was scheduled to begin today in Baltimore Circuit Court.
The men are charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Ricardo Solis Quezada Jr. and his sister, Lucero Solis Quezada, both 9, and their 10-year-old male cousin, Alexis Espejo Quezada.
Mr. Perez is the uncle of the dead children, and Mr. Canela was the children’s cousin.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys plan to call DNA specialists to testify in the case, which is expected to last about a month.
Assistant State’s Attorney Sharon Holback declined to discuss details about the case until the trial begins. At a hearing last month, Miss Holback said the DNA evidence shows that both men participated in the killings.
Defense attorneys, however, described the DNA evidence as shaky.
“The majority of it will be focused on explaining DNA, explaining what happened at the crime scene when police got there, explaining interviews with different people,” said James Rhodes, an attorney for Mr. Canela.
Mr. Rhodes said he has found evidence to contradict assertions that a glove found by authorities contains DNA from the children and Mr. Canela, as well as blood from one of the victims.
“I think everyone is going to be rather surprised at the so-called DNA evidence that the state has,” Mr. Rhodes said.
Investigators also found a pair of pants with some of the victims’ blood on it, Mr. Rhodes said.
Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive for the crimes.
Nick Panteleakis, an attorney for Mr. Perez, also said the DNA evidence isn’t strong.
“They’re trying to say it’s definitely them, and we have experts and proof that it could be other people,” Mr. Panteleakis said.
The three children were found dead in their apartment after returning from school in May 2004.
The mother of Ricardo and Lucero has said she does not think the two defendants are guilty. The family illegally entered the United States from Tenenexpan, a small town in the Mexican state of Veracruz.
Mr. Canela and Mr. Perez face life in prison if convicted.
Judge Thomas Ward is presiding over the trial.
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