DNA Testing on Alleged Murder Weapon Allowed

 Posted on June 11, 2012 in Criminal Defense

The Naperville Sun is reporting that a DuPont County judge is allowing DNA testing on a knife that prosecutors say Daniel Olaska, 28, used to kill Shaun Wild in a nightclub confrontation in February. Prosecutors claim they need two blood stains that were found on the knife tested in order to confirm that the knife was the actual murder weapon that killed Wild, a schoolteacher from Naperville.

The stabbing occurred at Frankie’s Blue Room in downtown Naperville. According to prosecutors, one of Wild’s friends, William Hayes, began arguing with the defendant over Olaska drinking beer out of a wine glass. Olaska stood up and stabbed Hayes, 22, with a folding knife. When Wild interceded on his friend’s behalf, he was stabbed in the chest. A nightclub employee, Rafael Castenada, was also wounded.

Olaska was held at the club and arrested as he tried to leave. Security cameras caught the stabbings, and there were witnesses to the event. Those are the reasons that Olaska’s attorney didn’t object to the DNA testing. “I don’t think the results will be relevant. It’s not who-done-it,” said Brian Telander, who has indicated he may argue the stabbings occurred in self-defense during an altercation.

Currently being held at without bond, Olaska has been charged with fourteen different counts, including one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

A first-degree murder conviction in Illinois can result in a sentence of life in prison and possibly even the death penalty. If you are facing criminal charges after attempting to protect yourself or loved ones from physical harm, you need to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney.