DNA from cigarette butt, styrofoam cup lead to arrest in unsolved Pennsylvania slaying
U.S. NEWS
DNA from cigarette butt, styrofoam cup lead to arrest in unsolved Pennsylvania slaying
Facial recognition software tipped authorities off to the suspect's identity, officials said. DNA collected from the cigarette and cup confirmed it.
Styrofoam cup evidence from 2012. The cigarette butt used for the DNA match. Berks County DA
March 25, 2024, 8:58 PM EDT
By Tim Stelloh
Investigators in Pennsylvania identified a suspect in an unsolved slaying through DNA obtained from a discarded cigarette butt and a bitten-off piece of a styrofoam cup, authorities said Monday.
Vallis Slaughter, 39, was arrested last week in connection with the fatal 2012 shooting of Julio Torres, 34, in a diner parking lot in West Reading, northwest of Philadelphia, Berks County District Attorney John Adams told reporters.
Court records show Slaughter was charged with multiple crimes, including first-degree murder, aggravated assault and conspiracy.
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