Man’s DNA linked to 1 of 4 slain suspected escorts

January 9, 2013 at 3:18p.m.

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (AP) — Authorities say DNA from a Detroit-area man charged in the deaths of four suspected escorts was found under the fingernails of one of the women.

Michigan State Police scientist Jennifer Jones says blood from another victim was discovered on a door in James Brown’s Sterling Heights home.

A judge is hearing testimony today to determine if Brown stands trial for first-degree murder. At least three women promoted themselves as escorts-for-hire on Backpage.com, which carries classified and personal ads.

Doctors testified that the victims likely died of asphyxiation. The bodies of Renisha Landers and Demesha Hunt were found together in a car trunk in Detroit on Dec. 19, 2011. The bodies of Natasha Curtis and Vernithea McCrary were found together in a car trunk in the city six days later.