UNSOLVED: Police have new DNA evidence in Charlotte mom’s 1990 murder, attorney says
Investigators said Kim Thomas, 32, was found inside her Cotswold home on July 2, 1990. She was handcuffed and her throat was repeatedly slashed, police said, and her 10-month-old son was in his crib nearby.
A prominent Charlotte defense attorney said police have uncovered evidence that could finally solve the case.
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Her husband, Dr. Edward Friedland, and a handyman, Marion Gales, have been suspected of committing the crime.
Friedland was indicted but the charges were quickly dropped.
Gales has never been indicted, arrested or charged in Thomas’ murder.
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David Rudolf, the defense attorney representing Friedland, has filed a motion asking for police to release DNA evidence that allegedly ties Gales to the murder.
“Assuming that his DNA has been found at the house, which is what I was told, it’s the final straw,” Rudolf said. “It’s not just a piece of evidence that could be explained away.”
They hope this would clear the doctor’s name and point to the person they believe is responsible.
“I think what Ed feels is a sense of relief that maybe this is finally coming to a close,” Rudolph said. “Maybe this cloud that he has labored under for 32 years is gonna be lifted.”
Sister skeptical of claims
“It is possible that (Marion) could be a murderer?” said Lynn Thomas, the victim’s sister. “I don’t think there is enough evidence.”
Thomas said that she is also skeptical that Gales had anything to do with her sister’s murder.
And that’s after looking at the filing that suggests that police have that DNA that puts Gales inside the Thomas home.
“It’s not inconceivable,” Thomas said. “His DNA could be in the house because I do believe, contrary to what Marion Gales says, ‘I never worked for that lady.’ He did. He did work for her.”
Thomas said that going after Gales would be an easy out. However, she’s just not a believer.
“I just don’t see how it could be Marion Gales,” Thomas said. “I would pray to God that it is Marion Gales, and I would love to see it be Marion Gales.”
Channel 9 reached out to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department about the filing and so far, we have not heard back.
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