Next step for yogurt-shop murder case

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The 18-year-old yogurt-shop murder case could take several more months and, possibly, years to bring to a close.

Investigators must now find the match to the new DNA found at the murder scene, DNA discovered with technology that was not available during the first trial.

"We just do not believe it would be fair or prudent to give the jury the evidence that we have plus that unknown and have them try to make a decision in the case," said Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg . "I am confident we will be able to identify this person and we'll be able to make the decision to go to trial as soon as possible."

In order to find a match, investigators must take compare the DNA to individual samples of every person it could belong to. Because of its nature, it cannot simply be plugged into a DNA database.

"This test looks for male DNA only and is deemed to be the most accurate test for samples that are mixtures of female and male DNA, as in this case," said Lehmberg.

So far, investigators have compared it to about 100 samples, with no luck. However, when and if authorities do find the match, Lehmberg believes it will lead to an accomplice of Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott, not a separate killer.

"I remain confident that Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott are both responsible for the deaths in the yogurt shop," she said.

Springsteen's lawyer, Joe James Sawyer, is equally confident the DNA match will exonerate his defendant.

"The state continues to refer to it as "the fifth man," he said. "They're wrong. It is the first man. That's the man who raped and killed Amy Ayers."

Originally, four men were arrested for the murders but charges were dropped against the other two.