Jurors hear DNA evidence in fatal deputy shooting | WPEC – WPEC

WEST PALM BEACH (CBS12)

DNA evidence took center stage Monday in a familys efforts to hold the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office accountable in a fatal shooting.

Sergeant Michael Custer says before he shot Seth Adams, the young man grabbed him by the neck and tried to choke him.

But there was no Adams DNA on the deputys shirt collar, and only after "amplification" does Adams DNA show up on the sergeants neck.

This came out during the testimony of Sheriff's crime lab forensic scientist Tara Sessa.

The tragedy unfolded outside Seth Adams' brothers nursery in Loxahatchee Groves in 2012.

Sgt. Custer, working undercover, said he shot Adams, out of fear for his life. Custer says a confrontational Adams choked him. The deputy says he thought the young man then reached for a gun from his truck.

Adams parents, Lydia and Richard Adams are suing Sgt. Custer and the Sheriff's Office, seeking millions.

Sessa, the crime lab scientist, said Seth Adams was excluded as a DNA source on Sgt. Custers t-shirt, and more important, inside the collar of Custers outside shirt.

The scientist testified the first time she tested DNA swabs of Sgt. Custers neck, Seth Adams was not identified as a source. But after she increased the amplification, she reached calculations showing Adams DNA was probable.

Also jurors heard about mystery DNA on Sgt. Custers pants, suggesting potentially another person was present.

On Tuesday, the Adams family is expected to call its own DNA expert.

DNA technology, and understanding it, is extremely complex," said Palm Beach Gardens attorney Carissa Kranz.

The key here is going to be having a clear analysis, and then breaking it down for a jury to even understand it," Kranz said.

Jurors also heard on Monday, about Custers missing cell phone, which the Adams family believes could have contained evidence.

The trial could potentially go another two weeks.

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Jurors hear DNA evidence in fatal deputy shooting | WPEC - WPEC