DNA Matches Suspect In 2002 Rape, Murder

by Esme Murphy

(WCCO) Minneapolis Police believe they have solved the murder and sexual assault of an elderly woman through DNA testing.

May Mary Pelto was found murdered in her Maple Grove, Minn. townhouse in 2002. Investigators said they found a DNA match because of a new law that requires all convicted felons to give a DNA sample.

"The suspect we now have identified had his DNA entered into the DNA database after he went to prison for burglary," said Hennepin County Sheriff Pat McGowan. "Earlier this month, we got a hit on this sample."

Maple Grove is a quiet community not used to such brutal crime.

"Anytime you have a case that goes on for this long it creates some uncertainty and fear in the community," said Maple Grove Police Chief Ramona Dohman.

Officials did not release the name of the suspect because he has not yet been charged in Pelto's murder, but Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar said she plans to seek first-degree murder charges.

"This case highlights how useful DNA is, what a new tool it is offered for law enforcement," Klobuchar said. "This is just one example. We have had dozens of cold cases that we've prosecuted."

While the case is being hailed a triumph of how the system worked, it is also an example of how it does not work. The suspect gave a DNA sample in prison a year and a half ago, but it was not until this month that a hit came back.

Investigators said that is because of a lack of funding for the BCA crime lab. The lab is getting more money which will help the backlog, where there are still thousands of samples that have not been processed.

Pelto's family declined to comment Tuesday.