Posted by Sean, a resident of the Sylvan Park neighborhood, on Jan 7, 2013 at 2:00 pm

Wow, I bet this dude was caught by surprise! 28 years ago, great police work I hope the charges stand and he gets life. RIP Saba.

Posted by Martin Omander, a resident of the Rex Manor neighborhood, on Jan 7, 2013 at 3:57 pm

Well done, MVPD and everyone else that made this happen! It is very important for society that murderers and other criminals are held accountable for their deeds.

Posted by Sean, a resident of the Sylvan Park neighborhood, on Jan 7, 2013 at 4:08 pm

I agree Martin, this guy has been living with blood on his hands for 28 years. Who knows what the story is but no way should this women have been treated this waym I hope the family can now find closure.

Posted by Larry, a resident of the Monta Loma neighborhood, on Jan 7, 2013 at 7:17 pm

AWESOME detective work by MVPD and SC County law enforcement!

Posted by kman, a resident of the Monta Loma neighborhood, on Jan 8, 2013 at 4:47 pm

The state will probably spend 500k on his trial and everything else and he will probably go free in 5 yrs.

Posted by Process Question, a resident of the Cuernavaca neighborhood, on Jan 8, 2013 at 6:07 pm

Another paper reported that the fingernail DNA evidence was submitted in 2010. I would assume that the DNA scan in the system should be pretty fast with modern technology? Why did 2+ more years go by? Did they identify the guy right away, and then spend time building a case?

Posted by Artie, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Jan 8, 2013 at 8:36 pm

I think you've been watching too much CSI. The technology is not as fast as on TV, and the labs are understaffed and have long backlogs. Typical time to process DNA is several months, so I can imagine that a low-priority cold case might have to wait a couple of years.

Posted by Backoff!, a resident of the Rex Manor neighborhood, on Jan 8, 2013 at 11:13 pm

Hey!

Before you get too deeply engrossed in your retribution fantasies, here are some items to consider.

He has been charged, and is being held in custody.

He has not been tried for this in a court of law.

He has not been found guilty of the crime for which he has been charged.

Posted by Fact, a resident of the Monta Loma neighborhood, on Jan 9, 2013 at 2:33 pm

@ backoff!

Here is the fact "a DNA profile from Girmai's fingernails, the release said. That profile was matched with Garcia, a convict who had not previously been linked to Girmai."

What more possible evidence do you need?

If he is not convicted then our justice system is totally Flooped up.

Posted by Otto Maddox, a resident of the Monta Loma neighborhood, on Jan 10, 2013 at 11:39 am

@Fact: DNA is not perfect. Recent evidence shows cross contamination is a real problem.

On top of that the tests have become too sensitive. They can detect DNA in places you'd never expect to see it. The problem is people's DNA is everywhere. Some DNA experts has said this is causing people to be falsely accused.

So the presence of DNA by itself does not, and should, convict someone of murder.

Posted by Fact, a resident of the Monta Loma neighborhood, on Jan 10, 2013 at 2:56 pm

@Otto

If you read it says "fingernails", plural, meaning it was not just in one finger, but many. So how does one have that much dna somewhere where it shouldn't be. Assuming they tested all fingernails.