Prosecutors collect DNA evidence for retrial of love triangle murder suspect

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Surprising developments in the upcoming retrial Eric Thompson, the man charged with the murder of Jon Tokuhara in 2022A Waipahu chiropractor who had an affair with Thompson’s wife.

The prosecution withdrew the DNA evidence used in the first trial. Inspection of the Honolulu Police Department’s crime laboratory.

“Due to the audit of HPD’s procedures, the criminalist can no longer draw any conclusions about comparing (Thompson’s) DNA to DNA collected near the crime scene,” a motion filed by the prosecutor’s office on Nov. 14 said.

The results were taken from the hat the suspect was wearing in surveillance video near Tokuhara Acupuncture and Wellness Clinic on January 12, 2022. The hat was found and tested by Honolulu police.

Thompson’s first trial last year ended with a hung jury.

The retrial is scheduled to begin on January 13, 2025.

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Retired federal public defender Alexander Silvert said the withdrawal of evidence at this point was surprising.

“Since there has already been a hearing at which this evidence was presented, withdrawing it clearly shows that there was something wrong with the original test.”

HNN Investigations reported in September He said the FBI inspected HPD’s crime lab this summer and found concerning problems.

The audit found that the laboratory did not use approved methods for DNA analysis and the equipment was not properly maintained.

At the time of HNN Investigates’ report, the Honolulu District Attorney’s Office said only one case was affected by the audit: the case against alleged rapist Xavier Swofford.

The Thompson case is now the second high-profile case affected.

The prosecution requested a postponement of the retrial because of the DNA issue, but the judge denied that request on Monday.

The prosecution wants to use a new lab before Thompson’s next trial; This request will be discussed in court this week.

Retired FBI agent Tom Simon said a crime lab’s failure to follow proper procedures is risky, which could convict an innocent person or set a guilty person free.

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