DNA expert’s record under review after O.C. murder defendant released early

Anya Ivanova/Getty Images
Photo credit Anya Ivanova/Getty Images

BUENA PARK, Calif. (KNX) — The Orange County DIstrict Attorney’s Office has launched a review of the work of a DNA expert accused by defense attorneys of altering findings to aid prosecutors.

The review was announced Monday after county forensic specialist Mary Hong could not support her analysis in a murder case. Hong’s unwillingness to testify led to the defendant’s release and permission to plead guilty to a lesser charge for the 1988 killing of a Buena Park woman.

Daniel McDermott, 52, was released from jail early on Saturday after spending nine years incarcerated, six of them since his initial trial ended with a hung jury. He pleaded guilty a day prior to a reduced charge of moluntary manslaughter in conenction with the killing and rape of 18-year-old Gehmine Chandler.

Hong was accused of altering her analysis to show that DNA recovered from the investigation matched that of McDemott, even when data revealed it was inconclusive.

“She cooked the books,” Assistant Public Defender Chuck Hasse, representing McDermott, told The Orange County Register. “She got rid of all the red flags so she could only use the markers that identified him.”

The D.A.’s office is now reviewing all of Hong’s cases in Orange County to determine whether other sentences need to be reassessed.

Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Featured Image Photo Credit: Anya Ivanova/Getty Images