Forensic evidence, DNA presented at fourth day of murder trial
To read day three trial coverage, click here.
From the gravel on Stephenson Road to the inside of a Taurus 9-millimeter handgun, jurors on Friday followed the trail of forensic evidence that investigators collected after Malik Darea Sims’ death and later analyzed through DNA testing.
Friday was the fourth day of testimony in the trial assessing Quentin Lamont Porter Jr.’s involvement in the murder of 23-year-old Sims and related charges of auto theft, identity deception and theft.
Sgt. Ian Matthews, an Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigator for the Bloomington District, spent roughly two hours walking jurors through how investigators documented and processed evidence from the case.
During his testimony, he shared photos from the three of the four areas he collected evidence in the case: the scene on Stephenson Road, Sims’ gray Audi A4 and a Nissan Sentra Porter rented after the shooting. Although Matthews also collected evidence during Sims’ autopsy alongside the forensic pathologist and coroner, jurors were not shown photographs from that portion of the investigation.
The photographs from Stephenson Road showed disturbed gravel in the middle of the road, tempered glass fragments, a water bottle on the side of the road that was collected but never tested for DNA and red staining on the gravel that was later confirmed to be Sims’ blood.
Jurors also viewed photographs of Sims as investigators found him. He was lying on his left side, wearing only a pair of red shorts, with a black plastic trash bag tied over his head. No shirt, socks or shoes could be seen on Sims’ body. There was also light-colored dust on Sims’ knees and thighs, which Matthews later testified appeared consistent with the gravel roadway, though it was not specifically tested.
Matthews also documented what he described as potential drag marks leading from the center of Stephenson Road toward the area where Sims’ body was found. However, while the pattern was consistent with drag marks, without more distinctive characteristics, he could not definitively say whether the marks were the result of Sims’ body being dragged.
ISP forensic biologist Meredith Livingston later testified that swabs collected from the red staining tested presumptively positive for blood and produced a DNA profile matching Sims.
Matthews also showed photos of the inside of the Audi A4, which included red staining along the stitching as well as streaky metallic silver spray paint on the seats that had been covered by seat covers. Matthews said he observed the smell of a cleaning solvent inside the vehicle as well.
“There is no real good way to go about describing this pattern,” Matthews said of the blood pattern in the vehicle.
Matthews said the closest description was pooling, with blood saturating toward the bottom of the seat because of gravity.
On the driver's seat, there was not a splatter or smearing pattern that could be seen. But a dark red stain could be seen concentrated on the left side of the back of the seat where the back and seat join one another.
According to Livingston, swabs collected from inside the Audi tested presumptively positive for blood and the DNA profile matched Sims.
Investigators testified the Nissan had been rented by Porter using Sims’ identification after Sims’ death. Inside that vehicle, a black Kenneth Cole Reaction backpack was found on the front passenger seat upon Porter’s arrest on July 24, 2024.
Inside the backpack, Matthews said investigators found the Taurus G2C 9 millimeter that Porter purchased from Ace Pawn on July 9, 2024.
The semi-automatic pistol was found to have red staining on the tip of the gun and on other areas. It was also found loaded with one cartridge in the chamber and nine in the 12-round magazine. There were also two loose cartridges found in the backpack.
Matthews testified that they could not be sure if there were originally 12 bullets or 13, as it is possible that one was manually loaded into the chamber before adding the magazine.
The most detailed forensic testimony centered on the Taurus handgun recovered from the backpack.
Livingston also testified that seven samples were taken from the weapon – an unstained area of the grip, inside the barrel, the end of the barrel, the slide lock, the chamber opening, the trigger and a stained area of the grip. While nearly all of the stained samples from the weapon tested presumptively positive for blood, only two swabs yielded samples sufficient for DNA testing.
The unstained sample from the trigger had samples from two individuals, but only one profile was suitable for comparison and it matched Sims.
Both Sims’ and Porter’s DNA was found in the stained sample from the grip of the weapon.
Livingston explained how touch DNA is dependent on several factors including skin shedding rates, how frequently someone washes their hands, the item type and texture and how long the item was touched. In addition, she testified that the presence of touch DNA can be impacted by the environment, outside influence such as cleaning and exposure to the elements, particularly rain and the sun’s UV rays.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Megan Schueler highlighted several items investigators either did not submit for DNA testing or tested only for the presence of blood, questioning the completeness of the forensic investigation.
Schueler pointed to the fact that the water bottle found at the scene was not tested for DNA evidence, that the backpack was only tested for a presumptive positive for blood and not DNA and that Sims’ driver’s license was also not tested for DNA.
Earlier in the day, Kevin Essett, who knew both Sims and Porter testified that on or around July 22 he notified police that Sims’ ID was found on the outside of his vehicle, tucked under his driver’s side windshield wiper near the hood of the vehicle. Essett said his vehicle, which was distinctive and depicted on his Instagram, was parked outside his residence while he was in Northern Indiana with his girlfriend prior to driving it to a driving range where he found the ID on his vehicle.
Schueler also questioned Detective Chris Scott about his interviewing techniques after Porter was arrested on July 24, 2024 at a convenience market located at the corner of 17th and Dunn in Bloomington with the help of Bloomington Police Department's CIRT or Critical Incident Response Team. Porter was arrested without incident. She asked if the interview that followed was accusatory in nature.
“I just talked to him,” Scott said. “I believe the interview had questions.”
Schueler also asked about the white SUV, possible marijuana sales by Sims and the alleged burglary that took place at Sims’ residence two months prior to his death.
Investigators said that they did not observe nearby surveillance footage of a white SUV, though they had reviewed the footage prior to being given that information upon Porter’s arrest.
Prosecutor Benjamin Kim has yet to have lead investigator, Owen County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Nathan Martin, take the stand or to show video footage of Porter’s police interview. Both elements are expected to be shared next week when the trial resumes on Monday, July 27 and is expected to take a total of eight days.
