Philadelphia Police Looking Into Murder Suspect’s Past

January 25, 2013 11:49 PM

By Elizabeth Hur and Walt Hunter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Philadelphia police are now looking into the past of 36-year-old Jason Smith, who is charged with the murder of Dr. Melissa Ketunuti.

Authorities say it’s part of the ongoing investigation, but they are re-tracing Smith’s previous jobs to see if there is any possibility he preyed on other woman.

Detectives tell Eyewitness News they are now analyzing DNA samples to see if Jason Smith can be linked to other crimes, including three sexual assaults in Pennypack Park in 2010 and 2011.

Commissioner Charles Ramsay said, “We’re going to do everything we can to see whether or not he’s connected with any other crimes. I’m not saying he is but we have to back track to see whether or not that’s possible.”

While police stress there is no known connection between Smith and these assaults at this time, they say they are not ruling out the possibility.

Smith has been charged with murder, abuse of corpse, arson, and risking a catastrophe and is being held without bail. He was arraigned via closed circuit TV on Thursday night, and a preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 13.

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Philadelphia Police Looking Into Murder Suspects Past

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