Police have finally arrested and charged a suspect in a 12-year murder case after cops made an unusual breakthrough when they discovered DNA on a sweet potato left at the crime scene, court records show. Devarus Hampton was arrested on Friday in Massachusetts in connection with the murder of Todd Lampley – who was shot to death in 2011.
Hampton, 40, pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder and assault with a dangerous weapon.
But prosecutors say DNA evidence – found on a sweet potato – places the suspect at the scene on the night of the murder, in the village of Hyannis, Massachusetts.
On the night of the murder, police found shell casings and a sweet potato on the ground outside the window where Todd was shot, the arrest affidavit states.
Prosecutors believe the sweet potato was used as a silencer for the gun – a tactic used in an episode of the popular drama, The Wire.
Police also found a phone at the scene in the name of Marlo Stanfield, who is a fictional character in the hit show.
First Assistant District Attorney Jessica Elumba, told ABC News: “The sweet potato appears to be used as a silencer.”
Referencing the similarities to the show, Elumba said: “It’s an interesting fact pattern.”
At the time of the murder, Hampton was reportedly wearing a GPS tracker after being previously convicted of another crime.
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Elumba declined to comment on why it took the police 12 years to arrest a suspect despite seemingly ample evidence.
Russell Eonas, assistant district attorney, told the local paper: “I can’t make a specific comment on the delay. The evidence was assessed as of now.”
But Hampton’s lawyer claimed he is prepared to launch a “vigorous defence.”
He said “it is a very old case”, which he is “confident” will result in his client’s innocence.
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