SARASOTA - A semen stain found on a shirt Carlie Brucia wore the day she was abducted matched Joseph Smith's DNA, an FBI forensic examiner testified Monday in Smith's murder trial.
Smith, 39, is on trial for first-degree murder, kidnapping and capital sexual battery.
"I'm able to say Joseph Smith was the source of the male DNA to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty," said FBI examiner Jennifer Luttman.
Carlie, 11, was apparently abducted in Sarasota on Feb. 1, 2004. Her body was found more than four days later.
Earlier Monday, a medical examiner testified that scrapes, marks and bruises on Carlie's body indicate she was bound, dragged on her side and strangled from behind with a cord or string.
Carlie also appeared to have been sexually assaulted, because her bra was pulled down and she was naked below the waist, Dr. Russell Vega said.
Charity auction for kids to go on as scheduled
TAMPA - A charity auction for abused children will go on as scheduled this weekend, despite concerns raised about one of its sponsors by a Hillsborough County commissioner.
Commissioner Ronda Storms contacted other sponsors of Auction for Angels, organized by IMAGO Charities Inc. in Dunedin, after she received an invitation. The postcard, depicting a cherubic young girl, showed that Tampa strip club owner Joe Redner's company, Joe Redner Enterprises, was one of four main sponsors.
Storms said she wanted the other companies to know with whom they are keeping company. She publicly expressed concerns last week regarding Redner's corporate logo appearing on an invitation picturing a young girl.
As a result, A Gift for Teaching of Tampa Bay withdrew as one of the two planned beneficiaries of the event, and another scheduled contributor withdrew.
Blooming Place for Kids, a Clearwater charity that sends foster children to a two-week summer camp in Lithia, is sticking with the event.
