Alleged rape victim’s DNA found on underwear of accused

A criminalist from the state crime lab testified today DNA from Bruce Braggs and an alleged rape victim were found on his underwear.

One out of 100 billion unrelated individuals could have the same profile, Criminalist Amy Pollpeter said. There was seminal fluid present but no sperm found on the underwear sample, which is possible if there was no ejaculation, she said.

Pollpeter was the last witness for the state in the first-degree burglary and second-degree sexual abuse trial of Bruce Braggs, 33, of Cedar Rapids. He is accused of breaking into a Kirkwood Court Apartment June 3, 2007 and sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman.

Braggs' claims he didn't assault the woman and wasn't in her apartment that day.

The defense started its case and will continue 9 a.m. Friday in Linn County District Court. Testimony should conclude Monday.

Pollpeter also found DNA from Braggs and the alleged victim on a penile swab taken from Braggs but could only develop a partial profile. It was a much weaker - one out of 370 unrelated individuals could have the same profile.

Ray Scheetz, Braggs' attorney, tore into Pollpeter on cross examination and questioned the accuracy of her results. He questioned her findings of no sperm in the seminal samples taken from the underwear, asking her at one point if she was aware Braggs has children.

She said “No.”

He questioned her findings of the penile swab, asking her to again admit the DNA was a weak profile. He also said there was no “Y” chromosone found in the penile swab. She agreed.

Pollpeter said there was no seminal fluid on the plastic bag, the alleged victim claimed was used by Braggs as a condom.

Scheetz argued with her about why she didn't test it.

Pollpeter continued to say there was nothing on the bag to test.

Scheetz also demanded to know why she didn't test the alleged victim's bedding.

She never received the bedding from police.

A Cedar Rapids officer testified Wednesday he checked the bedding with an ultraviolet light for seminal fluid and found none.

The defense put on three witnesses, a former girlfriend, a friend and the father of Braggs, who testified to what Braggs was wearing the night of the alleged assault. They all said he was wearing a white shirt, jeans and tennis shoes.

The alleged victim testified her attacker was wearing a red shirt.