Lower Bucks Today

Feasterville – Sen. Frank Farry (R-6) and Reps. K.C. Tomlinson (R-18), Joe Hogan (R-142), Kristin Marcell (R-178), and Shelby Labs (R-143) joined First Assistant District Attorney Ed Louka, Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran, Chief of Lower Southampton Police Department Ted Krimmel, and local law enforcement officials at Comic Collection in Feasterville to discuss the importance of DNA technology in Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system.

The press conference highlighted the work by the Lower Southampton Police Department in an investigation of a violent robbery at Comic Collection in September 2022, where a DNA match led to the charging of two Michigan men 18 months after the crime. Dave Schwartz, owner of The Comic Collection, thanked the community and law enforcement officials for their dedication to the case. Schwartz spoke about his horrifying experience and expressed relief that justice will be served.

Sen. Farry and his colleagues discussed their public safety initiatives, specifically legislation aimed at expanding the number of DNA samples in the criminal justice system by requiring post-arrest testing of anyone charged with a felony or certain misdemeanors. This sample-taking would be similar to taking an arrestee’s fingerprints.

“One of our goals as elected officials is to ensure our communities are safe and our law enforcement and prosecutors have the right tools to be able to properly do their jobs. Our legislation will enhance public safety, bring closure to crime victims, and maintain the integrity of our criminal justice system,” Farry said.

SB988 and its companion bill HB2030 would also expand DNA sample collection for offenders convicted of criminal homicide, which under Pennsylvania law are not classified as felonies. This legislation aims to close that loophole and require DNA collection from these offenders to solve other cold case murders and crimes.

The legislation also emphasizes conviction integrity through advanced use of DNA identification, potentially proving innocence for those incorrectly accused or convicted when DNA matches someone else.

“District Attorney Jennifer Schorn, in her 20+ years in law enforcement, has seen countless times how crucial DNA evidence can be, not only in charging and convicting violent offenders but also in eliminating potential suspects who are innocent of any crime,” said Bucks County First Assistant District Attorney Edward M. Louka.

“Equally crucial is the ability to obtain this evidence in the most expedient fashion possible,” Louka added. “This bill helps further these goals and ultimately keep the public safer.”

“Our DNA bill will provide the ability to prove someone’s innocence or guilt without question. This legislation is necessary, needed, and common sense,” Tomlinson said.

“Our bill will work to protect the public from serial offenders, aid law enforcement, and save innocent people from wrongful convictions," Hogan stated. "By taking a sample of DNA following a felony arrest, law enforcement can solve cold cases and save time and taxpayer money by narrowing down on suspects."

Hogan noted that safeguards are included so that if an innocent person’s DNA is taken, it can be removed from the national system. He added that nineteen states including Texas and California, along with the federal government, obtain DNA samples post-arrest: “It is time Pennsylvania joins these other states to modernize our criminal justice system and keep our communities safe.”