Grand jury to start reviewing evidence in grad student murder

(New York -WABC, March 14, 2006) (WABC) -- A Brooklyn grand jury today will be going through evidence in the murder of Imette Saint Guillen. Meantime the lawyer for Darryl Littlejohn is building the defense for his client.

Eyewitness News reporter Lisa Colagrossi is live in Downtown Brooklyn with the latest.

Prosecutors are ready to present their case on Littlejohn in the murder of Imette Saint Guillen. So far, it is a case that's heavy on circumstantial evidence and light on forensics and Littlejohn's lawyer say it has him pretty concerned.

Kevin O'donnell, Littlejohn's lawyer: "It's going to be almost impossible for him to get a fair trial."

Attorney Kevin O'Donnell was appointed by the public defender's office to represent Darryl Littlejohn for an unrelated rape case in Queens. But O'donnell is also raising questions about the Saint Guillen investigation.

He's skeptical of the DNA evidence which police say linked Littlejohn's blood to the plastic ties found with Saint Guillen's body.

Kevin O'donnell: "My concern is that it took two weeks to conclude that the wrist cuffs are tied to my client. Now my question is, why did it take them two weeks for a test that should have been conclusive in 72 hours normally? I have great concerns."

The Brooklyn district attorney has this case on the fast track. Yesterday the DA handed the Saint Guillen case to an existing grand jury. The presentation of evidence could be done completed by Friday with an indictment handed down. O'Donnell says his client is ready.

Kevin O'donnell: "He will plead not guilty."

It is still not exactly clear when and where Saint Guillen was killed.

Littlejohn remains at Rikers on a parole violation.

Imette Saint Guillen, the 24-year-old graduate student was last seen alive in "The Falls" bar. The manager, Daniel Dorrian is accused of misleading police about Saint Guillen's encounters with bar employees.

Last week, in the New York Post Jack Dorrian, a well known bar owner defended his son saying "Littlejohn was hired on a part-time basis. He passed himself off as a former U.S. Marshall. And Saint Guillen was not thrown out of the club."

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