Gunshot residue tests performed on the man accused of killing two Fort Campbell soldiers last year will be allowed as evidence at trial after action in Christian Circuit Court Thursday.
Jeremy Demar was arrested in Clarksville shortly after he allegedly shot and killed Priscilla East and Christopher Hoch at a home on Arkansas Avenue in February of 2017. He was transported to the Clarksville Police Department to be interviewed by Kentucky State Police for approximately three hours and swabs to detect gunshot residue were taken on his hands during that time.
Audrey Woosnam is one of two attorneys representing Demar and argued KSP should have gone through necessary steps to obtain a search warrant before doing the test.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Lynn Pryor argued it would have been very easy for Demar to wash any potential evidence off of his hands by simply asking to use the restroom and it was imperative to do the swabs then and there.
Judge John Atkins ruled in the Commonwealth’s favor, citing case law from Maryland that allows gunshot residue testing of one’s person without a search warrant.
Demar could face the death penalty if he’s convicted in the killings.