From the archives: DNA complicates murder case – The Daily Advertiser

The Daily Advertiser archives Published 3:24 p.m. CT April 11, 2017 | Updated 16 hours ago

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This story was originally published Aug. 6, 2011. Aaron Richards was convicted of first-degree murder in this case.

Confusing new DNA evidence in a first-degree murder case could possibly help the accused killer go free.

Test results of DNA found on the pants of Tim Falgout, the pizza delivery man who was killed in Youngsville in March 2010, indicate the involvement of a man who died days before Falgout was killed.

"We always said from Day 1 there was a problem with the DNA evidence," said Harold Register, the court-appointed attorney for Aaron Richards, who is charged with the first-degree murder of 50-year-old Falgout.

"The fact that we've gotten evidence that another person's DNA was mixed in shows it's a classic case of poor police work," Register said.

Richards, 35, of Kaplan, pleaded not guilty after police tied his DNA to the knife used to kill Falgout. The new DNA, however, points to a man named Thomas Evans.

Evans, 26, of Boyce, was killed one week before Falgout was murdered. Evans' killer killed himself during a police standoff.

Court documents show a Lafayette law enforcement officer contacted Rapides Parish about the possible connection but ultimately dismissed the idea.

"I have no idea how (Evans') DNA got there," Register said. "That's a mystery. It's pretty interesting, and it puts a twist in the case."

Falgout, who was delivering a pizza on the 300 block of Canard Street in Youngsville, was found dead March 29, 2010, in front of a customer's home. Falgout's wallet was missing, and officials cited robbery as the motive.

Police also arrested a second man in the case for his alleged role as the getaway driver.

Police charged Marcus Feast with principal to first-degree murder and say he was driving a gold Mercedes, which was used to follow Falgout during his pizza delivery and flee the scene after the robbery.

Richards, who was arrested Aug. 5, 2010, remains in the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center, where he is being held without bond.

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From the archives: DNA complicates murder case - The Daily Advertiser