DNA evidence enters murder trial

ALBUQUERQUE -- DNA evidence prosecutors contend links Ernest Gallegos to the murder of James Hogan was admitted into evidence at Gallegos' trial today.

A crime scene investigator who collected the DNA took the stand in district court today as prosecutors introduced dozens of items of evidence into the trial. One of those items was DNA from teeth marks left on the victim.

Gallegos is on trial accused of murdering Hogan in his Tanoan home in August 2004. Both Hogan and his wife were bound and blindfolded with duct tape by an intruder wearing a ski mask who bludgeoned Hogan to death.

Prosecutors filled a table with bagged evidence. All day they went through the lengthy process of showing the jury each item found at the crime scene and in Gallegos's truck.

That included two firearms, a wooden table leg, ski mask, and bloody shirt.

Retired 21 year veteran of the Albuquerque police department

Crime-scene expert Josephine Herrera, now retired after 21 years with the Albuquerque Police Department, collected each item. This afternoon she explained how she collected DNA from the ski mask and gloves and from the duct tape and bloodstained ropes used to tie up Hogan.

She also testified she found a bloody handprint and teeth marks on Hogan.

“An abrasion was observed on the knuckle of his right pinkie finger, and to me it appeared to be were teeth marks,” she said. “So I had the autopsy techs collect a DNA sample.”

Earlier in the trial Hogan's wife told she could not describe the man who broke into their home because he was wearing a ski mask.

No fingerprints were found at the scene although prosecutors admitted gloves into evidence they believed Gallegos used.

On Friday DNA experts are expected to take the stand to testify how the evidence allegedly links Gallegos to the murder.