Rifle Provides Key Evidence In Murder Trial

Testimony Wednesday centered around the most prominent piece of evidence in the murder case of 20-year-old Adam Espinoza ? a .22 caliber rifle.

Forensic Investigator Steve Guerra showed the jury how easy it is to fire and reload the pump-action rifle three times, just as Ramirez is accused of doing the night he allegedly shot and killed Espinoza. The 20-year-old?s body would then be stuffed in the trunk of his car and lit on fire.

As Espinoza?s family watched and listened, one witness testified that Ramirez left a fingerprint on the rifle.

“I do not remember how many fingerprints were located, but I do know that one was located and matched to the defendant,? Ricky Herrera, with New Mexico State Police, said.

But a different forensic scientist says she found blood DNA from more than one person on the gun, and could only identify one match, as Espinoza.

“My conclusion was Adam Espinoza could not be eliminated as a possible contributor to the DNA mixture, and Irvin Ramirez, Jorge Murillo and Javier Orozco are eliminated as possible contributors to the DNA mixture,? Alanna Williams, a forensic scientist, said.

Murillo and Orozco, the other two defendants in the murder case, are still awaiting trial. They will each be tried separately.

Fingerprint Analyst Bonnie Knoll showed the jury a single print she found near the trigger area on the rifle ? evidence she says, links Ramirez to the crime.

“After I received this additional evidence, I began my comparative analysis, I compared DC-13, which are the known finger and palm impressions of Irvin Ramirez, and I was able to identify the print that I developed on this item to the right ring finger of Irvin Ramirez,” Knoll said.

The trial continues Thursday morning at the Dona Ana County District Courthouse.