LAUREAN TRIAL: DNA results focus at pregnant Marine murder trial

GOLDSBORO, N.C. (AP) – North Carolina prosecutors are expected to unveil DNA test results they believe points to an ex-Marine clerk accused of killing a pregnant colleague. Prosecutors on Tuesday present a fourth day of evidence to a jury hearing the first-degree murder case of 23-year-old Cesar Laurean of Las Vegas. He is accused of killing 20-year-old Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach of Vandalia, Ohio, who months earlier accused Laurean of rape.

District Attorney Dewey Hudson told jurors last week DNA tests showed blood taken from a crowbar and from Laurean’s garage belonged to Lauterbach. Hudson said an autopsy showed Lauterbach died from a blow to the left side of her head. Testimony from the doctor who performed the autopsy is expected Wednesday.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)