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Maine AG says new DNA tests insufficient to overturn 34-year-old murder case

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Dennis Dechaine, convicted of the 1988 murder of 12-year-old Sarah Cherry, makes a bid for a new trial in 2012. Defense attorney Steven Peterson, left, is seated with Dechaine.

Yahoo News

Nov. 14—Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey said Monday that new DNA testing that failed to tie Dennis Dechaine to items used in the 1988 kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old babysitter Sarah Cherry does not override other evidence supporting Dechaine’s conviction.

Frey’s office had argued against testing the items using new, more sensitive technology that can identify traces of DNA. But on Monday said in a written statement the new DNA test results does not shake his confidence in the state’s conviction of Dechaine.

Frey’s remarks make it clear the state will argue against a new trial based on the evidence, something Dechaine’s attorney says he is preparing to file within a few weeks.

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