According to authorities, Pass stabbed San Roman in the garage, who then called for help. Al-Refo came to her aid and was also hurt in the altercation. The 911 recordings indicate the nature of the crime as San Roman is heard saying "Help me, I'm dying." after receiving a 4-inch stab wound to the chest (Powell, 2009).
The defense argued that Pass was not the murderer but rather Al-Refo was the one responsible, and to cover up his actions, proceeded to stab himself. Prosecution lawyer Lawrence Clark argued "She's not asking for help from somebody who has stabbed her, she's asking for help from somebody in a similar situation" (Powell, 2009). The tapes also confirmed this as San Roman is heard crying out to Al-Refo.
The defense also claimed that police wrongfully accused Pass, since once arriving on the scene they immediately arrested him and named him the culprit before examining the DNA as well as the crime scene. The defense stated that "police probed the wrong man and didn't collect evidence, didn't get it all tested properly, and didn't share all of the lab results they did get with prosecutors or the defense until the trial was more than half over" (Powell, 2009).
San Roman was found inside the home on the staircase, and it is believed she was trying to reach her 9-year-old son, Brendon Kulyas. San Roman would die from her wounds a week later in the hospital, while Al-Refo would make a full recovery and move to North Carolina. Kulyas was unharmed that night.
The defense also pointed to a grey hoodie that was found bloodstained in the garage claiming "there were unknown wearers DNA found on the grey hoodie, along with a cap in the garage. That cap was black with orange flames on the sides and on the bill, and it had the word Sniper in large white lettering on the front. Those items had both the blood of San Roman and Al-Refo on them, but also touch DNA from two or three more wearers" (Powell, 2009).
According to video surveillance taken from Shooters Billiards on Hwy. 13, Pass can be seen wearing both the hoodie and hat in question, thus negating the claims by the defense. The prosecution called for "jurors to consider what the defense claimed that Al-Refo had concocted this story, and that he cut himself was ridiculous.
As invoking a phantom suspect and urged the jury to not speculate nor go on a wild expedition" (Powell, 2009).
Taylor Pass
Photo credit: Dakota County Sheriff
Powell, J. (2009, November 4). Jury Deliberates in Burnsville Murder Trial. Minnesota StarTribune. Retrieved November 8, 2009, from http://www.startribune.com/local/south/69127562.html?page=1&c=y
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