DNA expert testifies at murder trial

MASON CITY | Four blood spots on the blue pajama bottoms worn by John Snyder Jr. on the day he died contained DNA belonging to someone other than the child or his father, John Snyder Sr.

Michael Cisneros, 38, is on trial for first-degree murder in the July 1994 death of the Mason City toddler.

According to Marie Sides, a retired DNA expert with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, fewer than one in 100 billion unrelated individuals would be expected to have the same DNA profile.

In her testimony, Sides did not link the sample to Cisneros.

DNA profiles were not able to be developed on four blood spots found on Little John's pajama top.

DCI lab expert Erica Ng is now testifying about the CODIS, the statewide DNA database. Ng said a search of the database is run every week.

Cisneros was arrested after a CODIS match between his DNA sample and evidence in the case turned up.

Earlier Monday, a retired Mason City police detective testified John Snyder Sr. punched a desk when he was notified that the body of his missing son had been found.

Retired detective Don Allen said Snyder Sr. was seated in his office at the Mason City Police Department when he informed Snyder that his son was recovered from Willow Creek.

"I suspect he probably broke all the knuckles on one hand," Allen told the jury.

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DNA expert testifies at murder trial