By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-15 08:38:44 | Updated at 2024-11-27 16:32:11
1 week ago
Defense attorneys sent shockwaves through the first day of a gruesome murder trial with the bombshell claim that a mystery man's DNA under the victim's fingernails is her real killer.
Milana Li, 13, was found sexually assaulted and murdered in a stream in Beaverton, Oregon, on May 10, 2022.
Her alleged killer, then 16-year-old Daniel Gore, was the last person seen with her and his DNA matched a sample found on her underwear, reported The Oregonian.
During the first day of his murder trial on Wednesday, Gore's lawyers admitted the two had a sexual relationship, but pointed out that there was other unidentified male DNA found on her body.
'From the grave she speaks. If Daniel had been scraped in the face by Milana, his DNA would be on those fingernails - it wasn't,' said defense attorney J. Mark Lawrence.
'They developed a friendship and a sexual relationship. It happens with adolescents these days. But he wasn't the last person with her, my client was out of the picture.'
Gore, now 18, is being tried as an adult and could face 30 years to life in prison if he is found guilty.
Prosecutors said Li was last seen alive on May 8, 2022, riding the bus with Gore and surveillance footage showed them walking towards the area where her body was found around 7:45 p.m.
Milana Li (pictured), 13, was found sexually assaulted and murdered in a stream in Beaverton, Oregon , on May 10, 2022
Her alleged killer, then 16-year-old Daniel Gore, was the last person seen with her and his DNA matched a sample found on her underwear
Li's mother, who worked the night shift at the Nike factory, reported her missing the next day.
A friend discovered her body on May 10 after news of her disappearance began to spread.
'She was beaten. She clawed at him, trying to stop what was happening to her,' said Senior Deputy District Attorney John Gerhard. 'He made a choice to strangle her until there was no more life in her.'
Gore, who was a homeless runway living in a tent near the scene, allegedly grabbed a blue waterproof blanket from his shelter then weighted her body down with stones and left her in the creek.
Prosecutors said after the murder he fled to a friends apartment with scratches on his face and told his girlfriend 'he had done something bad,' reported KGW 8.
Police collected DNA evidence from inside her and one two of her fingernails that were ripped off during the struggle.
Defense attorneys are honing in on the fact that DNA from the fingers are not a match to Gore.
They also said another unknown male's DNA was found in Li's underwear and authorities have not done any testing to see if it matches the fingernail samples.
Gore's lawyers admitted the two had a sexual relationship, but pointed out that there was other unidentified male DNA found on her body
Gore allegedly grabbed a blue waterproof blanket from his shelter then weighted her body down with stones and left her in the creek
When Gore was identified as a person of interest in the case, he fled from authorities when they approached him in a library and led them on a 20 minute chase.
During a two-hour interview Gore denied having a romantic relationship with her and said he parted ways with her earlier than the footage shows, according to Gerhard.
Gore's lawyer said he fled because he had warrants out for other crimes and was scared.
Li and Gore had only known each for about two weeks before her murder. Family described her as a wonderful daughter who her parents could trust and depend on.
