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State of Michigan v Beverly McCallum
TrueAllele connects victim to basement in cold case homicide
| Crime | In 2002, a man’s burned remains were found in a metal locker near a Michigan blueberry field. Ten years later, police identified the remains as belonging to Roberto Caraballo. Police had other evidence suggesting that his homicide occurred in the basement of his residence. Detectives identified the victim’s wife, Beverly McCallum, and two others as suspects. |
| Evidence | Michigan State Police Crime Laboratory scientists located possible blood under new concrete in the basement. |
| DNA | The lab swabbed the concrete for DNA testing and generated DNA data from this evidence. |
| Match | The crime laboratory could draw no conclusions from the concrete swab evidence due to the complexity of the mixture profile. |
| TrueAllele | On the same data, the TrueAllele computer found that the victim’s DNA was statistically present in the possible bloodstain on the concrete with a match statistics of 23.9 trillion. |
| Cybergenetics | On March 27, 2024, Cybergenetics casework supervisor Bill Allan testified before an Eaton County jury at the trial of defendant Beverly McCallum about the TrueAllele DNA results. |
| Outcome | After deliberating for two hours, the jury found the defendant guilty of second-degree murder and disinterment and mutilation of a body. |
Media
- GR man takes deal, describes cold case killing - Wood TV
- 1 of 3 defendants in 2002 Charlotte murder case sentenced to at least 15 years in prison - Lansing State Journal
- Woman sentenced for role in long-unsolved 'Jack-in-the-Box' murder - Holland Sentinel
- Third suspect in 2002 Charlotte murder case brought to Eaton County from Rome - Lansing State Journal
- Suspect in Eaton County ‘Jack in the Box’ cold case appears in court - WILX 10
- MI v Beverly McCallum: Fugitive Wife Murder Trial - Court TV
- Jury reaches quick verdict for woman accused in brutal 2002 cold case killing in Charlotte - Lansing State Journal
- Woman convicted 22 years after husband's remains found near Michigan blueberry field: "Like a made-for-TV movie" - CBS News