BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) - The man accused of murdering a Tufts University graduate in 1992 stood in court Thursday and said he's not guilty.
In 1992, Lena Bruce was 21 years old and a recent graduate of Tufts University. That year, she was the only African American woman to earn a degree in engineering.
Investigators said just two months after receiving that degree, her roommate found her dead in their south Boston apartment.
"She immediately observed a lifeless of 21-year-old Lena Bruce lying face down in her bed with her hands tied tightly behind her back with telephone cord. The victim was only partially clothed and was nude from the waste down," said Prosecutor Patrick Haggan.
Twenty-three years have passed with no suspects or arrests, until this year. A CODIS hit linked the defendant to an unknown male DNA profile in the system, recovered from Bruce's body, said police.
In court Wednesday, the prosecutor said the defendant, James Witkowski, was already serving time for an unrelated assault. They say he submitted a DNA sample after he was convicted last summer.
The prosecutor said Witkowski's criminal record dates back to 1988 and includes convictions for larceny, breaking and entering, and assault and battery.
"When shown a photograph of the victim, the defendant stated he did not recognize her and had no memory of any sexual or other contact with her. Additionally the defendant admitted that during the summer of 1992, he was drinking heavily," said Haggan.
Witkowski's attorney said he's still examining the case, but noted DNA evidence is not 100-percent infallible.
"Things can go wrong, other than the actual comparison of samples, there's deterioration of samples, there's decay, improper handling and procedures, flat out mistakes," said Daniel Solomon.
On Wednesday, the magistrate said the DNA will undergo and independent evaluation. Witkowski is expected back in court next month; he was ordered held without bail.