Judge orders DNA samples in slaying

Erica D. Johnson

Friday, Sept. 27, 2002 | 9:25 a.m.

Defense attorneys in the case of a man accused of killing his wife faced a setback Thursday as a District Court judge ordered the man to provide the court with DNA samples.

District Judge Donald Mosley told David Ruffa, who faces murder, kidnapping and arson charges, that he did not have to "volunteer" the saliva and blood samples prosecutors say could prove his guilt.

While prosecutor Gregg Knapp asked to take the samples at the time of the hearing, Ruffa refused. The samples will be taken at a later date.

Ruffa's trial is scheduled for Aug. 18.

Defense attorney Bret Whipple argued that the prosecution waited too long to collect the samples, interfering with Ruffa's right to a 60-day trial. He also asked the judge to suppress the testimony of several of the state's witnesses and specific details regarding Ruffa's prior felony convictions.

Mosley denied both motions.

Police say Ruffa strangled his wife of three years, 37-year-old Shao Lei Liu, and tried to set her body on fire inside her car. Liu's body was found Feb. 17.

Prosecutors contend Ruffa killed Liu in order to gain custody of the couple's 2-year-old son. Liu's sister and brother-in-law are now continuing the custody battle against Ruffa.

Ruffa's parents, who were in the courtroom during Thursday's hearing, said police corruption is the reason their son is accused of murder.

"The police are trying to cover their tracks because they went after the wrong man," said Mary Ruffa Kravetz, Ruffa's mother. "My son is completely innocent."