An unknown man’s DNA was found on Messel’s shoes, and an unknown man’s DNA was also found on his jeans.
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Hannah Wilson’s body was found in a similar condition in Brown County a year ago.
These are major pieces of evidence in the case against Daniel Messel, the man accused of brutally murdering 22-year-old IU student Hannah Wilson then throwing her body to the side of the road in rural Brown County.
Police arrested Daniel Messel after investigators found his cell phone next to Wilson’s feet and observed him with a plastic garbage bag full of clothes and with claw marks on his forearms.
Brown County Prosecutor Ted Adams, though, has pointed to what he calls the anchors of the case. Jurors saw graphic pictures of blood-spattered clothing police say Daniel Messel was wearing the night Hannah Wilson died.
And that’s exactly what defense attorney Dorie Maryan did when presenting her final statement to the jury.
“Too many questions remain”, Maryan said. “So, for that reason, you must find Mr. Messel not guilty”. Her blood was found on his silver Kia Sportage. Wilson had been reported missing the day before the discovery of her body. A taxi dropped her off at home after she partied with friends. On the flip side, the prosecution presented numerous facts that point squarely at Messel, linking him, his clothing, and his vehicle to Wilson’s blood and DNA. Wilson’s phone and purse were found in her room.
Maryan argued in closing arguments that Messel’s clothes were not bloody enough to have beaten Wilson to death. Raymond confirmed that DNA from an unknown individual was detected in grass collected from the vacant lot near Helmsburg where Wilson’s body was found.
She was probably having one of the best days of her life on April 23, Adams said. “Because that man killed her”, Adams said, pointing at Messel.
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The jury received the case around 11 a.m. Wednesday and began deliberations.
