THE limits of DNA analysis will be tested by a trial involving a 20-year-old rape, a deceased victim, a nomadic man and his unco-operative brother. <\/p>\n
The District Court has heard the case against Peter Tasman Cannell centres on DNA found at the 1993 rape of a woman, 81. <\/p>\n
Prosecutors claim there is a 600-billion-to-1 chance of anyone other than Cannell being the rapist - but they cannot exclude his brother, who has refused to provide a DNA sample. <\/p>\n
Cannell, 41, of Victoria, has pleaded not guilty to one count each of rape and burglary. <\/p>\n
Opening the trial yesterday, prosecutor Sandi McDonald said the charges related to an incident in Wright St, Adelaide, in October 1993. <\/p>\n
She said the rapist unlocked the victim's door after tearing through a flyscreen and subjected her to a \"traumatic\" rape. <\/p>\n
\"(The victim) was later taken to hospital and remained there for about six weeks,\" she said. <\/p>\n
\"She sustained injuries in so many areas that it may be easier to talk about the areas that were not bruised.\" <\/p>\n
The victim died of natural causes in July 1997. <\/p>\n
Ms McDonald said police records would prove Cannell - who moves between NT, WA and Queensland - was in Adelaide at the time of the rape. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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