Published: November 06, 2009 11:32 am      

NEW – Judge rejects former Indiana County trooper’s slaying appeal

INDIANA — A judge has rejected the appeal of a former Indiana County state trooper serving life in prison for the slashing death of his live-in girlfriend’s estranged husband.

Attorneys for 44-year-old Kevin Foley, of White Township, contend DNA samples under Blairsville dentist John Yelenic’s fingernails were matched to Foley using “junk science.” They also claim jurors improperly discussed the case before deliberations.

Judge William Martin rejected those appeals this week, so Foley’s attorneys say they’ll appeal to the Superior Court.

Foley killed Yelenic April 13, 2006, a day before he was to sign papers in a divorce so acrimonious that Yelenic’s attorney tried unsuccessfully to get the divorce decree issued after his death.

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Information from: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, http://pghtrib.com