Rachel White

This was Linda's second trial on these charges, right? That's right, Blaine. And listeners might remember that 15 years ago, Linda was convicted and got a life sentence for this crime. But after just eight years behind bars, a federal appeals court said she should get a new trial, citing ineffective counsel and prosecutorial misconduct. So this is her second go-round now facing a jury.

This was Linda's second trial on these charges, right? That's right, Blaine. And listeners might remember that 15 years ago, Linda was convicted and got a life sentence for this crime. But after just eight years behind bars, a federal appeals court said she should get a new trial, citing ineffective counsel and prosecutorial misconduct. So this is her second go-round now facing a jury.

Yeah, so they came back guilty on two counts of murder, and her bond was revoked, and she was immediately taken into custody. So her sentencing will be in May.

Yeah, so they came back guilty on two counts of murder, and her bond was revoked, and she was immediately taken into custody. So her sentencing will be in May.

The hearing was something called a Fry hearing. So this is when a judge hears arguments to decide whether scientific evidence that the prosecution or the defense wants to present to a jury is based on established science and therefore would be admissible. What's under discussion in this case is the prosecution's use of nuclear DNA. Okay, so let's talk about nuclear DNA.

The hearing was something called a Fry hearing. So this is when a judge hears arguments to decide whether scientific evidence that the prosecution or the defense wants to present to a jury is based on established science and therefore would be admissible. What's under discussion in this case is the prosecution's use of nuclear DNA. Okay, so let's talk about nuclear DNA.

How does that come up in this case? According to prosecutors, investigators found hair fibers on or around six of the seven bodies that they say Hurman dumped on Gilgo Beach. Prosecutors hired a private lab to analyze those hair fibers using nuclear DNA, which is a cutting-edge DNA analysis.

How does that come up in this case? According to prosecutors, investigators found hair fibers on or around six of the seven bodies that they say Hurman dumped on Gilgo Beach. Prosecutors hired a private lab to analyze those hair fibers using nuclear DNA, which is a cutting-edge DNA analysis.

Ellerup's attorney said it's important for the family to be here to obtain whatever type of closure they're going to get out of this case, unquote. He went on to say that Asa and Victoria's DNA was allegedly found on some of the victims' bodies, but emphasized that the prosecutor has said neither have been charged or are considered suspects.

Ellerup's attorney said it's important for the family to be here to obtain whatever type of closure they're going to get out of this case, unquote. He went on to say that Asa and Victoria's DNA was allegedly found on some of the victims' bodies, but emphasized that the prosecutor has said neither have been charged or are considered suspects.

Prosecutors hired a private lab to analyze those hair fibers using nuclear DNA.

Prosecutors hired a private lab to analyze those hair fibers using nuclear DNA.

Prosecutors hired a private lab to analyze those hair fibers using nuclear DNA.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Absolutely. So Monica Sementelli was accused of masterminding a plot to have her husband killed. Even though her lover, former porn star and sex offender Rob Baker, and his lifelong friend Christopher Austin confessed to carrying out the murder itself, a jury still had to decide just how involved Monica was with the plan. That was a long trial, a very long trial, about 10 weeks.