New DNA tests in brutal 1982 slaying in St. Louis set the stage for a decisive hearing

ST. LOUIS There is no physical evidence tying Rodney Lincoln to a gruesome attack three decades ago that left a mother dead and her two young daughters critically injured, new DNA tests show.

But theres nothing in those results that points to anyone else in the April 27, 1982, slaying, either.

Among the seven pieces of crime scene evidence sent to a Kansas City crime lab including three bloody knives and a bloody fingerprint left on a door frame no male DNA profiles were found. That means the blood is likely that of the victims: JoAnn Tate, 35, Melissa, 7, and Renee, 4.

What it means for Lincolns actual innocence claim, when paired with tests in 2010 that gave him hope, is disputed.

Lincolns lawyers, from the Midwest Innocence Project, argue the DNA results contradict faulty science and misleading testimony that was key to sending him to prison three decades ago on a double life sentence.

It kind of blows their whole case apart, said legal director Laura OSullivan, contending a jury would not convict if presented with the case anew.

But Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyces office has argued the conviction never rested on science that eyewitness testimony of the two girls sealed Lincolns fate. Through a spokesperson for the office, prosecutors declined to speak about the case for this article.

St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Robin Vannoy has scheduled a three-day hearing in September to consider both sides. It will be the culmination of a seven-year battle under a state law that allows for post-conviction DNA testing in certain instances, and will be key to whether Lincolns convictions are overturned.

Lincolns case was one of six Joyce chose for testing in 2003 from among 1,400 pre-DNA-era convictions. But her office reversed course after learning more about the evidence in his case.

The Midwest Innocence Project got involved in 2005 to push for the DNA tests, setting the stage for the current battle.

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New DNA tests in brutal 1982 slaying in St. Louis set the stage for a decisive hearing