Mislabeled DNA, Chain of Custody, and a Defense That Hits Back Against It!

Описание: In this video, retired Missouri appellate attorney Tony DeWitt analyzes a pivotal moment in the murder trial of Edric Faustst, accused of killing University of Georgia law student Tara Baker in 2001.
Although I’ve been critical at times of defense tactics in this case, this segment explains why the defense is actually doing something right—and how you can tell. When the prosecution is forced to react to the defense instead of controlling the narrative, that’s often a sign the defense has landed meaningful blows.
We break down:
How mislabeled DNA swabs raised serious chain-of-custody concerns
Why chain of custody usually affects weight, not admissibility
The critical difference between swabs vs. smears in forensic DNA testing
Why a motion to suppress must be filed before trial—and how waiting too long waives key arguments
What the defense did well on cross-examination—and what they missed
How courtroom tone and judicial dynamics can quietly hurt a defense case
This video is a deep dive into trial strategy, forensic evidence, preservation of error, and real-world courtroom decision-making, all explained for non-lawyers without dumbing it down.
If you’re interested in criminal trials, DNA evidence, chain of custody issues, or how lawyers actually win—or lose—cases in real courtrooms, this analysis is for you.

0:0 Introduction
0:56 Recap
1:37 Why I Jumped Back to Day 2
4:15 Melton’s Memory
5:55 Chain of Custody Issue
6:48 Medical Examiner on Labels
9:35 A Lame Explanation
10:42 Cross Exam of ME
12:40 State Re-Directs
14:01 Not What State Needed
14:42 The Defense’s Prior Objection
16:20 Judge’s Prior Ruling
17:22 Weight v. Admissibility
19:01 Judge Affirms Her Ruling
19:32 Explanation
22:16 Outro