Charged in child-sex-attack cases, man plans to point finger at his identical twin at trial
Ordinarily, a DNA match is considered gold-standard evidence linking a suspect to a crime. But for a decorated U.S. Army artillery officer charged in claimed sexual assaults on young girls that may prove to be a different story.
The defendant, 1st Lt. Aaron Gregory Lucas was given permission by a Colorado state court judge Friday to point the finger at another individual at trial—his identical twin brother, who shares the same DNA. Lucas is also blaming an unidentified third man for one of the alleged assaults, according to the Associated Press and the Denver Channel.
“Whether it’s persuasive or not—that’s not my role,” said District Judge David Shakes. “It’s the role of the jury.”
An AL.com story notes that Lucas’ brother has not been charged in the Colorado Springs case.
An earlier Colorado Springs Gazette article provides additional details.
Although unusual, criminal cases involving identical twins are not unheard of, as other ABAJournal.com posts have detailed:
ABAJournal.com: “Identical Twin Escapes Gallows in Real-Life Prisoner’s Dilemma”
ABAJournal.com: “Identical Twin Doctors in Related Pedophilia Cases Get Separate Trials”
ABAJournal.com: “Identical Twin Brother Complicates Murder Case Based on Eyewitnesses; Defense Claims Mistaken ID”
ABAJournal.com: “Identical twin accused of killing his brother is fatally shot”
