20-Feb-2018

TrueAllele validates confession in drug-related murder

Gretna, LA

In what investigators believe to be a drug-related crime, 29-year old Kendell Ellis was convicted of second-degree murder. His alleged accomplice, 26-year old Jared Simmons, confessed to the crime, incriminating Ellis in the murder.

DNA from the steering wheel of the getaway car was collected and compared to samples from the victim, Ellis, and Simmons. The DNA mixture was processed by TrueAllele; its results validated Simmons’ confession and linked Ellis to the crime.

Ellis was found guilty before a Jefferson Parish jury on both his second-degree murder and attempted murder charges. On February 20, a judge sentenced him to life in prison without parole.

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