DNA and fingerprint evidence links a man to a string of North Park attacks last summer, experts testified Tuesday.
As the preliminary hearing for David Angelo Drake II, 23, entered its second day, DNA experts and the last of seven alleged victims took the stand for the prosecution.
One witness testified that fingerprints matching Drake’s were found on the hood and side mirror of a car parked right where one alleged victim, who NBC 7 is identifying as A.D., was attacked on Aug. 12, 2014.
Other experts said Drake’s DNA is linked to at least two other victims. Each victim recounts a similar story; all were attacked from behind and punched repeatedly in the face.
“I remember getting hit, and not really sure what had happened. Just heard a hollow sound in my head when I was hit, and then I tried to look up, and when I looked up I got hit again in the face,” A.D. testified.
A.D. said she got lost around 2:15 a.m. on Lincoln Avenue after moving her then-boyfriend’s car so he would not get a parking ticket. Her boyfriend’s cellphone was out of batteries, and she couldn’t find her way back to her car.
As she walked down the sidewalk, she was attacked from behind, punched in the head several times and knocked to the ground, she testified.
“I was trying to look up and I saw a dark figure standing above me, but before I could focus, I got hit again,” she said.
Her story is mirrors those of other six victims.
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One woman, whom NBC 7 is calling K.S., remembers seeing a tall man jogging toward her in the alley near her house on Idaho Street on April 30, 2014. K.S. tried moving out of the way but was attacked from behind, she said.
She was put in a chokehold and punched, and her glasses were knocked off her face.
“I was picked up, off my feet, and he walked about 20 feet or so up, and then hit me in the face with his right hand,” K.S. recalled.
None of the seven victims remember seeing who attacked them or remember ever seeing the defendant Drake before.
Drake’s preliminary hearing should finish Wednesday, when a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence for him to stand trial.
Drake faces 19 charges, stemming from incident between April and August 2014:
April 30, 2014: Defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit a specific felony and assault by means to likely produce great bodily injury.
June 11: A woman told police she was thrown to the ground by one attacker on 33rd Street. Defendant is charged with sexual penetration (use of force), assault with intent to commit a specific felony and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury.
June 21: A woman was walking along Lincoln Avenue at 9:20 p.m. when she said two men attempted to attack her. Defendant is charged with assault to commit a specific felony and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury.
June 24: A woman was walking along Lincoln Avenue near Oregon Street and was knocked unconscious in an attack from behind, police said. Defendant is charged with sexual penetration (use of force), assault with intent to commit a specific felony and assault with intent to commit a specific felony.
July 20: A woman was knocked out while walking near the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Kansas Street around 1:20 a.m. Defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit a specific felony and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury.
Aug. 12: Defendant is charged with sexual penetration (use of force), robbery and assault with intent to commit a specific felony.
Aug. 28: The victim was attacked from behind, punched in the face and knocked out. She screamed for help and the suspect ran away, avoiding capture. Defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit a specific felony and assault by means to produce great bodily injury.
Investigators arrested Drake after receiving a tip from a police officer's wife who saw something unique about the suspect in surveillance video.
Drake has no criminal history and his defense attorney Dan Greene, has said that none of the women identified his client in a lineup.
If convicted on all the charges against him, Drake could face 100 years to life in prison.
