Prosecutors introduce DNA evidence in Denny Ross trial

AKRON, Ohio - Prosecutors have started to introduce DNA evidence in the murder trial of Denny Ross, charged in the 1999 murder of 18-year-old Hannah Hill.

The scientific portion of the high profile Summit County case is considered crucial to the state's argument that Ross is the killer.

Cynthia Shannon, a former Ohio BCI agent, testified that a human blood spot, about the size of a pencil eraser, was found on an inside pocket of Hill's brown corduroy pants.

Prosecutors have said that DNA evidence found on Hill's clothing, under her fingernails and in the trunk of her car, links Ross to the killing.

Several other scientific experts are expected to testify about other pieces of evidence that were analyzed for the presence of DNA.

Hill was strangled and stuffed in the trunk of her Geo Prism. Her body was discovered inside the vehicle in an Akron Ellet neighborhood, six days after she was reported missing.

Several articles of Hill's clothing were found in a garbage bag outside of Ross' Springfield Township apartment.

During opening statements, the defense told the jury that the victim's DNA was not found in Ross' apartment, where police believe the murder happened.

Ross has maintained his innocence.

The trial is in its third week and could last three to five more weeks.

Ross went on trial for the murder in 2000, but the case ended in a mistrial when a judge learned that the jury had discussed a lie detector test, which wasn't admitted as evidence during the trial.

DNA evidence was not available at the first trial.