Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 5, 1991 TAG: 9103050456
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: BEDFORD/FRANKLIN
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FAIRFAX LENGTH: Short
FBI Special Agent Robert Grispino testified he found blood on one of Hughes' shoes and on tissues and a box in the defendant's car, but said there wasn't enough blood on the shoe to determine the type.
However, Grispino said the blood found on tissues may have been Hughes'. He also said the blood found in a tissue box in the car could have belonged to the girl but definitely was not Hughes'.
Hughes, 25, a former resident of Christiansburg, is charged with abduction with intent to defile in the Dec. 3, 1989, disappearance of Melissa Brannan. The 5-year-old disappeared from a Lorton apartment complex where her family lived. Hughes worked as a groundskeeper at the complex.
Peter Greenspun, Hughes' attorney, tried to undermine Grispino's testimony, noting the blood type at issue is shared by 41 percent of the general population.
Greenspun also made a motion that all charges against Hughes be dropped because, he said, the crux of the prosecution's case was based on circumstantial evidence.
Circuit Judge Joanna Fitzpatrick rejected the defense motion.
Greenspun opened the defense's case with Heidi Rawlins, 22, who lived with Hughes and his wife for two months late in 1989.
Rawlins testified it was not unusual for Hughes to do laundry late at night - behavior the prosecution has cited in building its case against Hughes.
by CNB