Mass. court affirms 'John Doe' rape indictments

The Supreme Judicial Court ruled Thursday that prosecutors can indict an unknown suspect's unique DNA profile

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By Denise Lavoie
Associated Press

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BOSTON — The highest court in Massachusetts has ruled a genetic profile can be indicted in a rape case — even if prosecutors don't know the attacker's name.

The Supreme Judicial Court ruled Thursday that prosecutors can indict an unknown suspect's unique DNA profile to ensure the statute of limitations doesn't run out.

The court ruled in the case of Jerry Dixon, a Boston man whose DNA profile was indicted for two rapes before prosecutors knew his identity.

The court said the genetic information used to describe "John Doe" in the indictment did not violate Dixon's rights.

Dixon was identified through a DNA sample he submitted in 2007 in an unrelated case. Prosecutors say it matched evidence left at the rape scene.