SAN DIEGO (AP) — California law enforcement officials say a convicted sex offender was linked to the death of Chelsea King through DNA matching of semen found in the victim’s clothing.
State Department of Justice spokeswoman Christine Gasparac told The Associated Press Wednesday that John Albert Gardner III was identified after his DNA was run through a national database.
San Diego County prosecutors have declined to comment on the evidence.
The 30-year-old Gardner was charged with murdering and raping or attempting to rape the 17-year-old King, who disappeared last week after heading out for a run in a park.
He faces another count of assault with intent to rape another woman last December.
His attorney entered pleas of not guilty in the potential death penalty case.
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Associated Press writer Don Thompson in Sacramento contributed to this report.
