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A New Jersey man has been arrested after Pennsylvania investigators allegedly linked him to a 2012 fatal shooting using recent advancements in DNA forensics, as well as a Styrofoam cup found at the scene and a cigarette butt found at his mom’s residence.
The Berks County, Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Office announced the arrest of 39-year-old Vallis L. Slaughter, who was charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of 34-year-old Julio Torres, outside the West Reading Diner in March 2012.
Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams said during a press conference on Monday that an initial investigation into Torres’ death led to the arrest and conviction of Jomain Case, who was 22 at the time.
The investigation found Torres, Case and a third individual were involved in an argument before the victim was ultimately killed.
Julio Torres, left, was murdered in March 2012, which led to the arrest and conviction of Jomain Case, pictured right. (Berks County DA’s Office)
Last December, Slaughter was living in Jersey City, New Jersey with his mother when investigators obtained a discarded cigarette. Using the cigarette butt, investigators were able to match the DNA from the spent filter with the DNA found on the bitten piece of Styrofoam cup that was discovered at the crime scene in 2012.
He was arrested last Wednesday at his mother’s house by the Jersey City Police Department and is being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending extradition to Berks County.
Slaughter now faces charges of first- and third-degree murder, criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault and possessing instruments of crime.
