Big Chew Leads To Big House: Seattle Police Arrest Man in Cold Case Based On DNA Evidence Obtained Through Fake Chewing Gun Survey

Gary Raub, 63, can claim that he was arrested by a true “gum shoe” detective by the homeless man was tricked to give up his DNA in a fake chewing gum survey. Raub was arrested in Seattle in the death of Blanche Kimball, a 70-year-old retired dental technician in 1976.

Kimball’s body was found stabbed 23 times inside her Augusta home. Raub had done work at the house and was a long suspect when he was known as Gary Wilson. He rented a room from Kimball and had been painting her steps before the murder.

The 1976 case was the oldest unsolved case on the state books and came down to a fake gum survey. A DNA profile had been worked up earlier this year in the case from blood evidence found in the kitchen and that prompted them to seek out Raub.

While blood in a house where he worked might be subject to a defense argument, it would depend on the amount and the location. DNA evidence usually holds a powerful influence on a jury and Raub is likely to face quite a challenge.

Source: KJON