KALUZA CASE | Prosecution rests in Helms and Gilbert trial

YOUNGSTOWN — Chances are more than one in 67 quintillion that someone’s blood, other than that of shooting victim Joseph Kaluza, is on Taran Helms’ jacket.

With a world population of about 6.5 billion, it would take “thousands of earths” to find that many people, according to Brenda Gerardi, a DNA analyst with the Ohio Bureau of Identification and Investigation in Richfield, Ohio.

Gerardi testified this morning in the trial of Helms, 23, and Hattie Gilbert, 20, in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Both are accused of attempted murder, kidnapping, felonious assault and robbery in the March 24 shooting that left Kaluza, the manager of the KFC on South Avenue, paralyzed.

BCI scientists tested samples of DNA from a gun, coat, blood found on it, as well as a mask and skull cap used in the crime for comparison to Helms who authorities contend shot Kaluza in the neck.

BCI deals in statistics and doesn’t definitively make conclusions about DNA matches, the analyst said.

Kaluza was on his way to make a $300 deposit from the restaurant when the crime occurred. A car, authorities say was driven by Gilbert, cut him off on South, as he was on his way causing an accident. Helms is accused of approaching, shooting Kaluza and robbing him.

The prosecution rested this morning and the trial broke about 11:15 a.m. for lunch and to review evidence. The trial resumes about 1:15 p.m. today.