DNA links man to three rapes in Harrisburg

Updated: Wednesday, March 5 2014, 10:43 PM CST Reported by Ewa Roman:

HARRISBURG -- An alleged serial rapist is behind bars in Dauphin County thanks to DNA evidence linking him to the sexual assault of three women in Harrisburg.

The alleged acts happened in Harrisburgs Allison Hill area last summer and fall.

CBS 21 found out how crucial DNA test kits are in cases like this one and we wanted to know the size of the kit testing backlog, and whats being done to change things.

Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico tells us that there is a back log of DNA kits waiting to be tested, because not enough people are on the job.

Right now, hes working to get more funding to change that.

Theres been a move to have more funding put towards rape kits and processing of DNA , we can get those done more rapidly, stated Ed Marsico, Dauphin County District Attorney.

DA Marsico says three DNA matches got an accused serial rapist in Harrisburg off the streets. Jyrell Selvey, 23, is accused of raping three women last year.

Police say he robbed two of them. One was 17 and the other two were in their 20s.

Police say he threaten them with a knife.

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DNA links man to three rapes in Harrisburg