Report: DNA Evidence Links Man Under Arrest to Kidnap-Murder of 5-Year-Old California Girl

Associated Press ^ | Jul 20, 2002 | Ryan Pearson

[fella]

Jul 20, 2002

Report: DNA Evidence Links Man Under Arrest to Kidnap-Murder of 5-Year-Old California Girl

By Ryan Pearson Associated Press Writer

STANTON, Calif. (AP) - DNA evidence found on the body of 5-year-old Samantha Runnion matches the man arrested in her killing, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

Alejandro Avila of Lake Elsinore was arrested Friday following a tip.

The Times cited police sources it did not identify in reporting the DNA evidence Saturday.

Jim Amormino, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Department, would not specifically confirm or deny the report Saturday, but did say authorities have evidence linking Avila to the crime.

"We are 100 percent sure we have the right man based on circumstantial, physical and forensic evidence," Amormino said. "Forensic testing has confirmed our initial suspicion. DNA is a component of forensic testing."

Avila has denied involvement in the little girl's abduction and killing Monday, saying he was at a shopping mall at the time.

Avila's sister, Elvira, told the Orange County Register that he missed a family dinner that evening.

The sister also said Avila told his family that investigators found fibers under Samantha's fingernails. Investigators took clothing from Avila's apartment for testing.

In an interview with the Times before his arrest, Avila said detectives took a sample of his blood and photographed a scratch on his leg.

Authorities have said they believe the girl struggled with her killer.

AP-ES-07-20-02 1236EDT

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[fella]

This man needs to be executed pulicly and cruely and unusually to send a loud and clear message to those who commit and those who protect those who protect those who commit such deeds.

[RLK]

Fry him.

[Lower55]

He'll be in jail waiting execution longer than she was alive.

[SouthernFreebird]

Ihope the reward money goes to the ex-girlfriend it may help her daughter in the abuse she suffered from this POS and the shame of not being believed by the 12 jurors who share a slice of responsiblity for the death of Samantha.

[OldFriend]

The law enforcement community handled this entire case brilliantly. By suggesting that this man would kill again it got the attention of EVERYONE.........

However, the little girl witness deserves our thanks and prayers.

[RLK]

Unfortunately, you are correct.

[blam]

How did they get DNA results so fast?

[marvlus]

This is a situation where "cruel and unusual punishment" needs to be applied.

[dinasour]

He'll be in jail waiting execution longer than she was alive.

With cable TV, a free heath club membership and catered meals.

GRRRR...

[morjon]

Fella-The problem with what you suggest (and slow torture does appeal to me in this case!)...is that, someone that commits these crimes does not think ahead or care of the circumstances, whatever they may be.

Hell this perverse SOB might even like a slow painful death.

[umgud]

He will be treated relatively humanely, while we can't even imagine the terror that went through this poor girl's mind and body. Everybody who is soft on crime needs to try to visualize in their mind's eye exactly what she went through in every grizzly detail. I can't and won't.

[WKB]

He'll be in jail waiting execution longer than she was alive

The Great State of Mississippi just put a cop killer to sleep that had been on "Death" row since 1989.

[janetgreen]

He may not fare so well in jail. Even hardcore prisoners have their own "code of honor", and do not take kindly to child molesters or child killers. Hopefully they will punish him daily, as he deserves. I hope this savage burns in hell.

[LibWhacker]

He'll probably be in jail longer than most of us here on FR will be alive.

[dixiechick2000]

Since he had been arrested before, they may have it on file somewhere.
However, this is just a guess...

[dougherty]

I wonder if this will change his mother's opinion? I doubt it. If I had a son and the evidence proved that he committed a crime such as this, I would disown him.

[blam]

"Since he had been arrested before, they may have it on file somewhere. However, this is just a guess..."

I understand that. They would have still have had to analyse the most recent sample to compare it with the sample that was on 'file.'

[dinasour]

He may not fare so well in jail

God, I hope so, but in the end they are going to put him to sleep like a dog, which is an insult to the thousands of dogs that die every day.

If that were my kid, there would be no power on earth that would keep me from re-adjusting his plumbing. Then they could put him to sleep.

[dixiechick2000]

How long does it take to analyze DNA?
Could it be that they had already analyzed Samantha's?

[PISANO]

This man needs to be executed pulicly and cruely and unusually to send a loud and clear message to those who commit and those who protect those who protect those who commit such deeds.

Unfortunately this creep, even if convicted, will probably NEVER be put to death. This is CALIFORNIA you know and they have death row inmates dating back to the 70's. They feel the criminals pain in that state. Most over 50 on this forum will be dead of old age before he is executed.