Proposed law would have given earlier DNA comparison in NC murder

ATLANTA (AP) — Spurred by the case of slain Georgia hiker Meredith Emerson, a state lawmaker is pushing legislation that would allow earlier comparison of DNA taken from criminal suspects.

Such a law would have allowed DNA evidence to be shared shortly after North Carolina investigators suspected the man responsible for Emerson’s death was responsible for the murder of a hiker in western North Carolina.

Under current law, Georgia can collect DNA from a suspect if there is probable cause or if the suspect volunteers it. It can be used against the suspect in the case under investigation, but can’t be compared to a national or state database of open cases until the suspect is convicted, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vernon Keenan said.

A bill sponsored by state Senator Bill Hamrick, a Carrolton Republican, would allow DNA database comparisons as soon as the DNA is lawfully obtained.

Keenan said the measure would give law enforcement the ability to make better use of the DNA it collects.

After the arrest of Gary Michael Hilton in the Emerson case, Keenan said police in other states were interested in linking Hilton to their own open cases. But the GBI couldn’t share his DNA until he pleaded guilty last week.

Hilton, who was sentenced to life in prison for killing Emerson, is being investigated in the death of 84-year-old Irene Bryant. She and her husband, John, disappeared while hiking in the Pisgah National Forest in October.

Her body was found hear a hiking trail in November, and the remains of John Bryant were found last month by a hunter in Macon County.

Transylvania County Sheriff David Mahoney has said Hilton is the only suspect in the case.