DNA Evidence Brings Sexual Assault Cold Cases Back to Texas Court

 Posted on March 05, 2021 in Criminal Defense

No matter how much time has passed after a crime has been committed, new evidence can surface and bring the case back into the limelight. In some cases, improved technology can reveal a person’s true role in the crime, while in others, a larger budget can allow law enforcement to conduct a deeper dive into the evidence. Female sexual assault victims from Fort Worth may be on the brink of getting the justice that they deserve after movements were made this past week. But what if they have the wrong person? As the years go by, it can become increasingly difficult to remember your exact whereabouts and activity on the night the crime was committed, making your defense less and less foolproof.

Justice in Fort Worth

This past week, an alleged serial rapist was arrested for attacking women in 2010 and 2011 after detectives found a DNA match linking him to the crimes. Pedro Samarrippas has also been connected to another 2011 Fort Worth case, and detectives have room to believe that he may have more victims spread throughout Fort Worth. Samarrippas was arrested in late February on two warrants for sexual assault. These have remained cold cases until Texas Rangers recently received a grant that allowed them to conduct comparisons of unknown DNA through a database known as the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). This database helped them link the unknown DNA to Samarrippas. These two sexual assault cases, in addition to another sexual assault that occurred in McAllen, Texas in 2002, all contained unknown matching DNA samples that led detectives to Samarrippas.  

Sexual Assault Penalties

The penalties tied to sex crimes vary greatly depending on the circumstances of the crime, including the specific offense that you are being charged with, the relationship between you and the alleged victim, and the age of the alleged victim. Some sex crimes are considered misdemeanors and may result in jail time or fines, while others are felonies punishable by two years to life in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. You will also be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of your life, limiting where you can live, work, and more. 

Sexual assault cases can be challenging for both parties, often becoming a “he said, she said” situation. For this reason, it is important that you turn to a reputable criminal defense attorney for help with your defense, especially if significant time has passed since the date of the crime. Even if you were not involved in the crime, the months or years that have gone by since that day can make the memory of your whereabouts fuzzy, appearing suspicious in a court of law. A reputable criminal defense lawyer will help you nail down the details of your defense and determine how to best present yourself to the court.

Contact a Plano, Texas Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer

Has recently uncovered evidence connected you to a sex crime that you did not commit? The Crowder Law Firm, P.C. will build a strong defense on your behalf. We are prepared to use our 20 years of experience for your benefit, helping you secure a not-guilty verdict. Call our dedicated Collin County criminal defense attorneys today at 214-544-0061 to schedule your free initial consultation.

Sources:

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article249688973.html

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/pe/htm/pe.21.htm