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Police Barred From Collecting DNA After Charges Of Violent Crimes

May 23rd, 2012 by WCBC Radio

The Maryland Court of Appeals won't reconsider a ruling that effectively barred police from collecting DNA samples from people arrested on charges of committing a violent crime or attempting to commit one. That means Attorney General Douglas Gansler can appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The court will file its order Friday denying Gansler's May 1 motion for reconsideration. The case involves Alonzo King Jr., who was found guilty of a 2003 rape in Salisbury. King's DNA was taken after he had been arrested in 2009 on assault charges. Opponents argue that taking a sample before someone is convicted violates the constitutional protection from unreasonable search and seizure. Supporters say the samples contribute to a database that helps law enforcement. State officials suspended such collections following the April 24 ruling. Gansler told WBAL News that there is no question law enforcement efforts have been hampered by the ruling…

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