Man's DNA Searches Tied to Rape Trial

0:00On March 27, a man on trial for a brutal 2003 rape and sulfured claims his internet searches about police DNA storage were just a coincidence. Paul Quinn 51 faces charges after his DNA matched evidence from the attack with a billion to one probability. An innocent man, Andrew Malkinson, spent 17 years in prison for the crime before being cleared. Prosecutors pointed out Quinn made those searches right after news broke about a DNA breakthrough in the case. By then, he'd moved from sulfur to exeter and had his own DNA taken by police a decade earlier. They argued he grew anxious, searching late at night about DNA retention, and even why he was sweating more. Quinn denied feeling worried, saying he was simply curious from watching true crime shows. He insisted the timing had nothing to do with the case in brush off suggestions he feared police linking him to the evidence left on the victims, clothing. Malkinson, now 60, fought multiple appeals before the Court of Appeal freed him in 2020.

1:00The original conviction stemmed from a mistaken identity parade called a terrible miscarriage of justice in court. The trial at Manchester Crown Court continues next week, with Quinn pleading not guilty to rape, assault, and related charges. Investigators and DNA testing have finally brought new answers after years of questions.