‘Outrageous’ DNA scandal delays trial over massage parlour stabbing

A judge has slammed the delay of an attempted murder trial by at least six months due to a backlog in DNA evidence as “simply outrageous”.

The Queensland Supreme Court trial of John Ikundu Karanja, who stands accused of stabbing a masseuse in the neck, was set to start on Tuesday.

Karanja allegedly attacked the 35-year-old woman at a massage parlour in the inner-Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley at 3am on July 25, 2024.

Before the trial could begin, defence barrister Adrian Braithwaite asked for the matter to be adjourned to obtain a statement from Forensic Science Queensland.

The statement was needed as testament to the veracity of results that suggested Karanja’s DNA could not be found on the knife allegedly used in the stabbing.

A forensic scientist would not be available to make the DNA statement until June, or possibly September, Justice Peter Davis said.

“There’s not much point in me bleating about delays with the Queensland forensic science department, apart from saying DNA evidence has, over the last 30 years, become more and more important,” he said.

“The fact that DNA testing has been done but no scientist can produce a proper statement for six months is simply outrageous.”

Forensic Science Queensland is facing a years-long backlog in testing after multiple investigations found the state DNA lab reached “a critical point of failure”.

DNA evidence from major crime cases over the past 2½ years are set to be re-examined after a report last year found lab surfaces were dirty and contaminated.

The trial would have to wait until possibly the end of September to receive the DNA statement, crown prosecutor Toby Corsbie told Davis.

“Can’t we fast track it?” he replied.

“June is the fast track,” Corsbie said.

Karanja was charged with attempted murder and attempted rape following the alleged 2024 incident.

Prosecutors allege he stabbed the masseuse in the neck after she fought off his attempt to sexually assault her.

Davis said he was concerned about the additional time Karanja would spend in custody before trial due to the delay.

“There’s no point in applying for bail as he would be sent straight into immigration detention,” Braithwaite said.

Davis adjourned the trial until a date to be fixed, and remanded Karanja in custody.

AAP

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.