A Hemet man, Mark Thompson Hunter, received a sentence of 130 years to life in prison for a 1999 kidnapping and rape case in Escondido. The breakthrough in solving the decades-old crime came through the innovative use of genetic genealogy, a method commonly associated with solving cold-case murders. Hunter was identified and convicted after investigators revisited the case, leveraging DNA data uploaded to a publicly accessible site by a family member.
Genetic Genealogy Unveils Decades-Old Crime
Years after the 1999 attack, the case saw renewed attention when a family member of the convicted, Mark Thompson Hunter, voluntarily took a DNA test.
The results were uploaded to a site accessible to law enforcement. In 2020, a cold-case team reexamined the rape case, utilizing genetic genealogy to trace the assailant’s DNA. This method led them to Hunter, resulting in his arrest and subsequent trial.
Genetic genealogy is a novel approach that matches DNA from a crime scene to a family member who has willingly provided their DNA to a public database. In Hunter’s case, the missing piece came from a distant family relationship, which helped detectives build a family tree and finally pin him down as the culprit. The effective application of genetic genealogy in cold case investigations is a noteworthy advancement, demonstrating the technology’s capacity to provide victims with justice even after decades have gone.
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Hunter’s Sentencing and Disruption in Court
Mark Thompson Hunter’s sentencing, where he received 130 years to life in prison, was marked by disruptive behavior. During the hearing, Hunter maintained his innocence and expressed intent to appeal the conviction.
The deputy district attorney, Claudia Plascencia, reported that Hunter was removed from the courtroom due to his disruptive actions.
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