DNA Report Results for Ronald Kliner

On June 30, 2017, the Circuit Court ordered DNA testing on hairs found on the victim, as well as DNA, ballistics and fingerprint testing done on shell casings and an unfired cartridge found at the scene. The hope was that, based on an earlier 2003 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) test results on hairs found on the victim that excluded Ronald Kliner, these further tests could positively indicate or even help fully reveal the identify of a person who could have been the actual killer, as only nuclear (or STR) DNA can be used in the FBI CODIS DNA database. On January 22, 2018, the Illinois State Police laboratory issued its results from the DNA testing. According to the report, the laboratory was unable to find any usable nuclear DNA on the shells and cartridge. The only four hairs that were deemed to have sufficient DNA for testing were likely to have belonged to the victim Dana Rinaldi. While there was again no evidence that indicated Ronald Kliner was present at the scene of the crime, the lack of usable nuclear DNA in this test meant it was still not possible to determine who else could have been present and who may actually have murdered Dana Rinaldi. Since his conviction, Ronald Kliner had steadfastly maintained his innocence, fighting through prosecution roadblocks and unfavorable court rulings to get the initial mtDNA test in 2003, and again fighting for another 13 years to get the nuclear DNA testing. Given that 30 years has passed from the date of the murder to now, one can only wonder if there would have been more recoverable DNA to analyze had the tests been done sooner. This Friday, March 9, Ronald's lawyers will file a motion in the Cook County Circuit Court in Rolling Meadows (2121 Euclid Ave) requesting that the Illinois State Police lab turn over the full documentation of the tests to examine how they came to their conclusions, and what further testing options are possible. The report can be viewed under "documents" at https://freeronaldkliner.wordpress.com/