In 2007, Andrew Lingard was sentenced to life for rape and robbery in Altamonte Springs, but on Monday, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) said, DNA used during the trial was mislabeled.
Shawn Johnson, a FDLE analyst had testified during Lingard’s trial that a rape kit introduced as evidence contained semen from two individuals, the victim and Lingard. He told a jury that DNA from the victim’s boyfriend, Calvin Copeland was not present, although the victim had admitted to recent sexual intercourse with Copeland.
During a press conference Monday, FDLE said they believe that the rape kit used to convict Lingard was labeled incorrectly. The major contributor of the DNA now has turned out to be the victim’s boyfriend.
Now the court would like Lingard to submit another sample for further analysis, as well as other evidence in the case that was never introduced during his trial, including a bandana, clothing of the victim and bed sheets.
Prosecutors and the Seminole County State Attorney’s Office still believe that the case against Lingard can still be proven, without DNA evidence.
Lingard, 32, is currently in the Seminole County Jail.
