Summary
An 80-year-old man named Mark Personette was found guilty of murdering 15-year-old Marissa Harvey in 1978. DNA evidence and investigative genealogy identified him as a suspect after the case remained unsolved for over 40 years. Personette, who claims there was reasonable doubt, now faces sentencing in December.
Key Facts
- An 80-year-old named Mark Personette was convicted for a murder that happened in 1978.
- The victim, Marissa Harvey, was a 15-year-old visiting San Francisco when she was killed.
- DNA evidence was found on her clothing and a piece of gum, linking Personette to the crime.
- Investigators used a method called investigative genealogy to identify Personette as a suspect.
- Personette was seen discarding trash that contained his DNA, confirming his identity.
- The case involved testimony from a woman claiming Personette raped her in 1979.
- Personette denies being in San Francisco at the time of the murder.
- He will be sentenced on December 17 and could face seven years to life in prison.
