DNA issue may mean retrial for death row inmate

A Travis County state district judge has recommended that an Austin man on death row get a new trial, after his attorneys raised concerns that a former Austin crime lab technician incorrectly analyzed DNA evidence collected in the case.

The recommendation comes as local attorneys review Travis County convictions that involved DNA evidence after a state audit highlighted problems at the lab. Control over Austin’s crime lab was transferred from the Austin Police Department to the Texas Department of Public Safety when the audit revealed that lab techs were improperly analyzing DNA samples.

Areli Escobar - a 41year-old who was convicted on May 13, 2011, of sexually assaulting and killing 17-year-old Bianca Maldonado and injuring her son— may get a new trial, if the Texas Court of Appeals agrees with Judge David Wahlberg’s recommendation.

“Mr. Escobar has maintained his innocence from the beginning to today,” said his attorney Carlotta Lepingwell.