Tree DNA helps convict timber thief
It’s the first time such evidence has been used in a federal trial
By Associated Press
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TACOMA — A federal jury has convicted a timber thief who authorities said started a large forest fire in Washington, a case that prosecutors said marked the first time tree DNA had been introduced in a federal trial.
The jury deliberated for about seven hours before convicting Justin Andrew Wilke, 39, on Thursday of conspiracy, theft of public property, depredation of public property, and trafficking and attempted trafficking in unlawfully harvested timber, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Western Washington said in a news release.