NORTHAMPTON (AP) - An Easthampton man accused of killing his
girlfriend has been ordered by a judge to submit a DNA sample to
investigators.
A judge on Thursday agreed with the prosecution and ruled that a sample from
Ryan Welch was relevant to the investigation for comparison with evidence
gathered at the crime scene of the February slaying of Jessica Pripstein.
Welch's lawyer argued that the state had not shown an adequate need for the
sample, and already had blood samples from Welch.
An autopsy determined the 39-year-old Pripstein died from a "sharp-force
injury" to her neck.
Welch was arrested the next day at a hospital where he was treated for a
self-inflicted wound.
The 36-year-old Welch is being held without bail after pleading not
guilty.
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