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KATIE'S STORY
Katie Sepich was a vivacious 22-year-old graduate student at New Mexico State University. In August 2003, she was brutally attacked just outside her home. She was raped, strangled, her body set on fire, and abandoned at an old dump site.
No strong suspects emerged in Katie's case, but skin and blood were found under her fingernails, leaving the attacker's DNA sample. Katie had fought hard for her life. This DNA profile was sent to the national DNA database system (called CODIS), where officials hoped a match would be made. When Katie's mother learned of the DNA evidence and database she replied, "They are arresting people every day, so soon we'll know who killed Katie." But the Sepiches later learned that most state laws do not allow law enforcement to take DNA for felony arrests. This was the beginning of the quest for "Katie’s Law".
Jayann and Dave Sepich, Katie's parents, began researching the role of DNA in solving crimes. At first they just wanted to find and punish the person who had murdered their daughter; but as they learned more about how DNA can solve crimes, they also learned it could do so much more–it can prevent crimes and save lives.
In January of 2006, "Katie's Bill", which requires DNA for most felony arrests for inclusion in the database, was passed by the New Mexico state legislature in only thirty days. The bill was signed into law in March 2006 and went into effect on January 1, 2007. After passing "Katie’s Law" in New Mexico, Dave and Jayann dedicated themselves to getting similar legislation passed nationwide.
The Sepiches firmly believe that action by state legislators to require DNA from persons arrested for felony crimes will result in thousands of old crimes being solved. This process will prevent other innocent lives from being lost and will keep the innocent from being prosecuted for crimes they did not commit.