Massachusetts law enforcement officials made a significant advancement on Friday in an unsolved cold-case murder that had puzzled them for ten years, all thanks to a yam.
According to the Cape Cod Times, law enforcement officials apprehended a suspect on Friday for the murder of Todd Lampley, which occurred on February 27, 2011. The arrest was made after the police discovered the alleged murderer’s DNA on a sweet potato that was left at the location.
Devarus Hampton from Mashpee was charged with murder, assault, and battery with a dangerous weapon and appeared in Barnstable District Court on Monday for arraignment, as reported by WCVB.
Hampton, aged 40, entered a plea of not guilty and was ordered to be detained without the option of posting bail.
Lampley, 31, was pronounced deceased after he was shot through the bedroom window of his residence in Hyannis.
According to ABC News, when authorities arrived at the location, they discovered three spent bullet casings, a dark-colored mobile device, and a pierced sweet potato. Allegedly, Hampton’s genetic material was detected on the surface of the sweet potato by investigators.
“The sweet potato seems to function as a suppressor,” First Assistant District Attorney Jessica Elumba informed the media source.
On the show “The Wire,” one of the characters was also named Marlo Stanfield. During the shooting scene, the cellphone was found under a sweet potato mask. Prosecutors in court recalled a scene from the hit HBO show “The Wire.”
“It’s a fascinating pattern,” Elumba informed ABC News.
The Cape Cod Times reported that the Police were subsequently able to tie Lampley’s home location to his GPS. It was reported that Lampley was wearing a GPS tracking bracelet at the time of the Hampton murder.
According to Elumba, the gun used in the murder, which Hampton’s location records also indicated his presence at the lake, was initially discarded and later recovered by civilians.
Despite the seemingly ample evidence against Hampton, the prosecutors opted not to offer any explanations for the prolonged 12-year delay in his arrest.
Assistant District Attorney Russell Eonas informed the Cape Cod Times that currently, the evidence has been evaluated. Regarding the delay, he mentioned that he is unable to provide a specific comment.
Edward Fogarty, the court-appointed attorney for Hampton, stated to the media that he intends to initiate a strong and energetic defense.
“It is an extremely ancient case,” he continued.
“After examining the evidence provided by the Commonwealth, we are certain that it will lead to his exoneration.”
While the motive of Hampton remains uncertain, he and Lampley were acquainted with one another.
During a trial held in 2010, Hampton implicated Lampley in the 2007 occurrence when Jacques Sellers was shot and died in Hyannis.
According to one lawyer, Hampton’s testimony, which contradicted his prior statements, was “astonishing” when he spoke to the Cap Cod Times.
Hampton was also accused of child rape and another, non-lethal shooting in 2008.
He is scheduled to return to the court of Barnstable County on April 5.