It's been a full decade since the murder of Allison Feldman in her Scottsdale home, and her family is still yearning for closure in a case marred by legal wranglings over DNA evidence. February 17 marked ten years since Allison, then aged 31, was last alive – her life brutally ended by head trauma, as per authorities. Despite the arrest of a suspect, named as Ian Mitcham, the case continues to languish without a trial start date in sight, according to a report by ABC15.
In a situation that rattled a local community typically synonymous with tranquility, Feldman's body was discovered on February 18, 2015, bearing the grim imprint of violence. Familial DNA, a novel method at the time in Arizona, led to Mitcham's arrest. However, legal disputes over the admissibility of his DNA sample—collected initially during an unrelated DUI case without a warrant—have stalled the case from proceeding to trial. Despite a reversal by an appeals court and a go-ahead from the Arizona Supreme Court, Mitcham's legal team intends to push the DNA evidence dispute to the nation's highest court, as reported by FOX10 Phoenix.
Allison's father, Harley Feldman, who has been steadfast in his pursuit of justice, expressed in a statement to ABC15 a measured understanding of the slow churn of the justice system. "I had no expectation, and I think the court system works but it works its own pace," he said. His undying commitment to his daughter is profound, as he and Allison’s mother have made Arizona their home for the proximate purpose of being close to the proceedings. Mitcham's defense is currently awaiting a response to their petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court, which is due by March 12.
The Feldman family's journey has been long and fraught with heartache. Despite years of investigation and the breakthrough use of familial DNA which led to Mitcham's arrest, no connection or motive linking Mitcham to Allison has been established. "It’s a little easier, just because it’s been a long time," Harley Feldman told ABC15, though his words reflect years of waiting.
