First Case Impacted by Work of Embattled Scientist
A significant development has unfolded in a Colorado triple homicide case from 2017. Garrett Coughlin, 31, pleaded guilty on Thursday to lesser charges, marking the first prosecution in the state believed to be affected by the work of a controversial DNA analyst.
Plea Deal Avoids Life Sentence, Raises Questions
Coughlin entered guilty pleas to three counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Wallace White, Kelly Sloat-White, and Emory Fraker near Boulder. Prosecutors offered this plea deal due to their inability to call former Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) analyst Yvonne “Missy” Woods as a witness. The case largely relied on circumstantial evidence. This deal prevents Coughlin from facing a potential life sentence on a retrial for felony murder charges. His original conviction and sentence were overturned because of a juror who lied during jury selection.
DNA Analyst Under Investigation, Work Raises Concerns
In March 2024, the CBI launched a criminal investigation into Woods’ work practices. They discovered she had cut corners and failed to follow standard DNA testing protocols, casting doubt on hundreds of cases she processed. Woods was placed on leave in September 2023 after irregularities were identified, and she resigned before the internal review concluded.
Review Highlights Issues with Woods’ Work
The internal review revealed that Woods manipulated data and submitted incomplete test results in certain cases. However, the CBI clarified that they did not find evidence of fabricated DNA matches or profiles. A further internal report, released on Wednesday, detailed earlier concerns raised about Woods’ work. A colleague questioned her testing methods in 2014, and she faced temporary removal from DNA cases in 2018 due to data manipulation accusations.
Defense Maintains Woods’ Innocence
Woods’ attorney, Ryan Brackley, released a statement asserting her unwavering stance. He maintains she has never fabricated DNA matches or exclusions, nor has she provided false testimony leading to wrongful convictions or unjust punishments. Mr. Brackley additionally noted that the prosecution retested the DNA evidence in Coughlin’s case, and the results matched the originals.
