NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — DNA testing on physical evidence will be key in the Joe Clyde Daniels case, but there is a big problem – no one has any of the boy’s DNA.
Joe Clyde disappeared last April and is presumed dead after search efforts have failed to find his body.
His father, Joseph Daniels, is charged with killing him.
DNA evidence was collected from the scene, including traces of blood from the father's pants and his vehicle.
But here's the problem: Sources confirm there aren’t DNA samples from Joe Clyde, so it's impossible to make any comparisons. He apparently shared a toothbrush with his siblings and with such short hair, he didn't use a comb or brush.
As a result, there's no way to know if the blood is his or if any other items in evidence can be linked by DNA to the boy.
Unless investigators come up with Joe Clyde's DNA, much of the physical evidence will be useless at trial. That leaves only the father's now re-canted confession for the prosecution.
The trial has been postponed until next year.
