Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Jurors in the trial of a former Shawano bar operator accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl spent most of Wednesday getting a crash course in DNA.
Two experts in the scientific analysis of DNA evidence testified, one for the state and the other for the defense, but mostly reached the same conclusions.
Darwin R. Davis, 48, who ran the Final Lap Tavern in Shawano, is accused of having sexual intercourse with the girl in the basement of the tavern and on multiple occasions at his home in the town of Wescott in 2012.
He is charged with five counts of second-degree sexual assault of a child and one count of repeated sexual assault of the same child, as well as felony possession of marijuana. He also faces two misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a child and one of obstructing an officer.
Angela Schroeder, senior DNA analyst at the State Crime Lab, said DNA samples taken from cushion covers on a couch that was in the basement of the bar were consistent with the DNA profiles of Davis and the alleged victim. Samples taken from the home, however, were less conclusive.
Alan Friedman, a consulting DNA specialist hired by the defense, was called to the stand to respond to Schroeder’s findings, but mostly confirmed them.
Defense attorney Paul Zilles questioned both witnesses on when and how the DNA was deposited, with both conceding there was no way of knowing.
Zilles also focused on the fact that DNA can come from any bodily source, but Friedman noted that there was semen found on the cushion covers.
The state wrapped up its case with the DNA evidence Wednesday. The defense was expected to start calling witnesses on Thursday.
The trial, which was expected to last through Friday, started Monday with testimony from the alleged victim and her mother, then on Tuesday from Davis’ children, who were 11 and 13 at the time and were living with him.
The children initially told authorities they had never seen anything suspicious between their father and the girl, but later came forward to say their father had asked them to lie.
Jurors also heard from several witnesses who testified that Davis admitted to them that he was having sexual relations with the girl, and from authorities who collected evidence during the execution of search warrants at the bar and Davis’ home.
Much of the testimony over the first two days of the trial focused on a cell phone that Davis allegedly purchased for the girl and text messages, including some sexual in nature, that were exchanged between the two.
If convicted, Davis could face a maximum 40 years in prison and $100,000 fine on each of the sex assault charges.
According to court records, Davis was previously convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a child in Langlade County in 1994 and was sentenced to five years in prison.