13-Oct-2016

Louisiana drug dealer pleads guilty to homicide

Kenner, LA

On January 25, a drug deal-turned-armed-robbery resulted in one dead. Dayan Sanchez (21) shot and killed Hykeem Martin (19). Police said that Martin and three others were armed and trying to rob Sanchez. Martin and Sanchez began shooting, and Martin was killed.

Sanchez apparently fired in self-defense. However, he was charged with manslaughter, marijuana distribution, illegally carrying a firearm, illegal firearm discharge, and firearm possession by a convicted felon.

Cybergenetics interpreted mixed DNA found on a nearby flip phone. Their TrueAllele® computer connected the phone to Sanchez with a match statistic of a quadrillion.

On October 13, Sanchez pled guilty as charged. The guilty plea was based in part on Cybergenetics pro bono assistance in the case.

Jefferson Parish Assistant District Attorney Douglas Rushton told Cybergenetics, "Thank you for getting the initial analysis done in this case in such a timely manner. Many thanks and I look forward to working more with you in the future."

Links

• Suspect in Kenner homicide surrenders Monday morning - The Times-Picayune