TOPEKA, Kan., Dec. 6 The Kansas Supreme Court is mulling arguments in the case of the nation's first "John Doe" arrest warrant based solely on a DNA profile.
Douglas Belt was convicted in the 2004 rape and murder of Lucille Gallegos, however, there are now seven other cases that could be pinned on Belt although the validity of warrant is in question.
Arguments presented to the court Wednesday revolved around the dismissal of the cases due to the statute of limitations. At the same time, however, the failure to charge Belt was due to errors made by the crime lab that failed to match him to the crimes.
The Wichita Eagle said Thursday other states were closely watching the case due to the contention that John Doe warrants violate Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches.
The Eagle said the ruling could come down as early as February.
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