State DNA expert quits while probe continues

One of the state's most senior DNA experts resigned from the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory before an internal investigation into whether he mishandled evidence in a rape case had been completed.

Dr. John Brown resigned Sept. 13, roughly four months after he was suspended from the crime lab.

"It was a matter of pride and professionalism," said his attorney Anne Bremner. "After 16 years of good service, he felt more comfortable resigning."

Brown joined the crime lab in 1984 and was one of four founding members of the lab's DNA section in 1990.

He worked on nearly 300 DNA cases and testified in approximately 40, according to his resume. In April, he spent two weeks comparing the DNA of serial-killer suspect Robert Lee Yates Jr.

Some of the tests were performed again after Brown was suspended from the lab May 19.

The suspension stemmed from another DNA case on which Brown worked.

He had examined biological evidence recovered from a South Seattle home following the rape of a 25-year-old woman March 26, 1997. His first tests in November 1997 showed no matches with convicted felons in the DNA databank.

After a colleague reviewed his work and said it was flawed, Brown retested the samples and found a match with Craig Barfield.

On May 31, Barfield became the first person in Washington convicted by a jury on the basis of his genetic profile alone. It was Barfield's third felony, which comes with a mandatory life sentence under the state's "three strikes" law.

Brown initially told defense attorneys there had been no earlier report in which Barfield had been eliminated. He later said his earlier tests had not included Barfield.

On the witness stand, Brown admitted he had lied about the earlier report to cover up his mistake.

When prosecutors learned there had been no match with Barfield in the first tests, they sent the DNA evidence to a private lab in California. It showed the match with Barfield to be one in 1,800 trillion.

Besides the Yates case, officials from the crime lab say they have not been asked to re-examine Brown's work, but defense attorneys say that may only be a matter of time.

"I don't know of any cases that are being reopened, but I expect there will be some inquires," said attorney Stephanie Adraktas.

Alex Fryer's phone message number is 206-464-8124. His e-mail address is afryer@seattletimes.com.