Judge allows DNA testing from gun in local homicide case

Posted on August 1, 2017

 

Normal murder suspect Daniel Lyons. (Photo from the McLean County Jail.)

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – A judge is allowing a crime lab to analyze DNA from a handgun in a McLean County murder case.

Authorities said they discovered the 9 mm handgun in murder suspect Daniel Lyons Junior’s apartment on N. Golfcrest in Normal and shell casings where David Parks, 22, was shot to death outside an apartment building at 702 S. Golfcrest in Normal.

The coroner said Parks died after suffering approximately five gunshot wounds from the May 31 shooting.

The judge’s order was necessary because authorities obtained such a small sample of DNA that further testing won’t be possible.

Prosecutors have yet to reveal a motive for the killing.

Lyons is being held on $5 million bond, and is scheduled to appear in court again October 24.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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