Opening statements begin in Sarasota 20 years after murder of Deborah Dalzell

SARASOTA, Fla. - Luke Fleming showed little emotion as opening statements began Tuesday morning in Sarasota County. 

"You will hear that there is a complete DNA profile obtained for the genetic fingerprints of Deborah's killer," said Assistant State Attorney Art Jackman. 

Jackman began building a case that will rely heavily on testimony from DNA experts.

"They were able to develop a DNA profile of a single [male] contributor," he explained. 

Fleming in on trial for the murder of Deborah Dalzell, who was found inside her Sarasota County home March 29,1999. 

Investigators said she was raped. They found her with a t-shirt wrapped around her neck and a sock lodged in her throat. 

Nearly 20 years later, the state intends to explain how DNA left at the scene was matched to Fleming. 

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Detectives say advances in DNA technology allowed them to build a DNA-based family tree and a profile of Dalzell’s killer, which ultimately crack the cold case.

It led them to a St. Petersburg man, 39-year-old Luke Fleming. He lived less than a mile from Dalzell back in 1999 and his DNA matched evidence at the crime scene.

"The odds of someone selected at random matching that profile is 1 in sextillion," said Jackman. 

For Dalzell’s family, it’s been an especially long wait for justice.

“We have all waited over 19 years for this news – 19 years of graduations, weddings, new babies and family milestones that Deborah has missed,” said Dlazell's sister Peggy Thistle, back in 2018. 

The trial will resume Wednesday morning at 9:30.