A judge on May 16 ordered a man awaiting trial for dousing a woman with gasoline to submit his DNA to authorities so DNA from a gasoline container can be compared to his own.
The trial of Myles Edward Chapin, 46, was to have started May 16 but delayed so authorities can compare his DNA with DNA profiles found on the gasoline can.
Myles Edward Chapin, 46, is charged with attempted murder of a woman identified only as Rhonda C. in a 4 p.m. incident on July 12, 2018, on Fiesta Island.
His attorney, Angel Turner, objected to the request by Deputy District Attorney Matthew Greco and asked San Diego Superior Court Judge Fred Maguire to deny it.
“It’s not a timely request,” said Turner, noting that Thursday was the trial date.
Turner argued the DA’s office had plenty of time to do this as Chapin was arrested at the scene.
Greco responded by saying that he had thought Chapin’s DNA profile was already in the system because he had been arrested before. However, his DNA profile has not been authenticated, added Greco.
Greco said DNA profiles on the gas can came up for four people found and he wanted to determine if one of them was Chapin.
Chapin remains in jail on $1 million and a sample of his DNA will be taken by authorities.
Greco said Chapin ran up to the victim and poured gasoline on her after also pouring it over himself. He pulled out two lighters, but couldn’t get either one to work, he said.
Maguire told both attorneys to return to court on May 22 with results of the DNA test. A new trial date will be set.
He is also charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Chapin has pleaded not guilty.