May 29, 2003

LINCOLN PARK -  DNA evidence has been credited with yet another arrest, this time in a 1995 murder investigation in the City of Lincoln Park. In a joint effort between the Lincoln Park Police Department and the Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division, DNA evidence from the 1995 murder of a Lincoln Park woman was matched to Larry McWatters, 35 years of age, of Lincoln Park. McWatters was extradited from Florida to Michigan this past week and arraigned on May 20 in Lincoln Park District Court for the murder of Margaret Belinski, 74 of Lincoln Park.

According to D/Sgt. John Marra of the Lincoln Park Police Department, "This case has been haunting us since it happened in 1995. We are very pleased that through a combination of good police work and DNA technology, we finally have a suspect in custody. This was a real team effort between our agency and the MSP Forensic Science Laboratory."

Belinski was found murdered in her home on July 5, 1995. A number of suspects were considered and eliminated with the help of DNA. Additional information through a tip in 2001 enabled Lincoln Park investigators to link McWatters to the crime. The original evidence from the crime scene had been maintained at the MSP Lansing Crime Lab since 1995. The match with McWatters was made in January of this year. McWatters was located in Florida earlier this month, extradited to Michigan and charged in this case.

According to Lynne Helton of the MSP Lansing Laboratory, who made the forensic match, "I was pleased to have a small role in helping to solve Mrs. Belinski’s murder. We are fortunate to have the capability to perform DNA testing so we can use that technology to solve crime." Helton went on to say, "We never stop working until the case is solved and we always think of the families."

A preliminary exam date is pending in the 25^th District Court.

CONTACTS:

Case Information: D/Sgt. John Marra, Lincoln Park Police Department, (313) 381-8378

General DNA Questions Only: Charles Barna, Biology/DNA Supervisor, MSP Lansing Forensic Science Laboratory, (517) 322-6256; or Dorothy Martus, Biology/DNA Supervisor, MSP Northville Forensic Science Laboratory (248) 380-1000

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police