Accused killer maintains his DNA innocently transferred or planted

A self-represented accused killer is laying out for a Toronto jury the possibility his DNA was either innocently transferred or planted under the fingernails of the victim’s right hand.

“It’s important to know DNA is not transferred only in the commission of a crime,” Michael Ivezic said during his cross-examination of forensic biologist Kimberley Sharpe.

There may be “so-called innocent transfer” prior to the “crime event” or put there, via tampering or contamination, after the fact, he stated.

Sharpe agreed it is possible that DNA could be deposited before or after a crime. But she rejected the suggestion the sample she analyzed in this case was contaminated after it was collected from Allan Lanteigne’s fingernails during the autopsy.

The coroner has documented procedures for the collection of samples, she said, adding, “I do not see any time in which the item could have been tam- pered with.”

Ivezic and his former lover, Demitry Papasotiriou-Lanteigne, have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder of the latter’s husband.

The Crown alleges the pair arranged the murder in order to collect a $2million life insurance policy.

Papasotiriou-Lanteigne was in Europe at the time of the March 2, 2011 slaying. Ivezic is alleged to have beaten Lanteigne to death in the foyer of his home on Ossington Ave.

Ivezic is representing himself after firing his lawyer midtrial.

Last week, Sharpe, who works at the Centre of Forensic Sciences, took the stand as the Crown’s expected last witness. She testified it’s almost certain the DNA profile found under Lanteigne’s fingernails matches DNA belonging to Ivezic.

On Tuesday, during his second-day of cross-examination, Ivezic asked Sharpe about organic material found beneath Lanteigne’s fingernails.

The trial continues Wednesday.