FBI Collects DNA in Case Against New Jersey Lawyer
In a surprising development, FBI agents monitored a New Jersey lawyer, Matthew Niro, who is accused of multiple rapes, in a Manhattan bar known for its distinctive “seduction room.” They gathered DNA evidence from a used fork as part of efforts to resolve a 16-year-old case, as revealed in court proceedings on Monday.
Testimony from two investigators indicated that five FBI agents coordinated with the bar staff to observe Niro and, by the end of that night, collected a fork, four glasses, and a napkin—all crucial pieces of evidence.
During the Boston courtroom session, Niro, 35, who was accompanied by his fiancée, engaged in a rigorous cross-examination of witnesses concerning the DNA evidence collection, while his legal team attempted to discredit it.
The DNA has been traced back to Niro, who now resides in Weehawken, linking him to the rapes of eight women in Charleston, Massachusetts, and Boston’s North End during 2007 and 2008.
This case had been dormant until 2022 when investigators managed to extract DNA from a victim’s rape kit. They then utilized a commercial DNA service to identify potential relatives of the suspect, which ultimately led to narrowing down the search to Niro.
The DNA collection began after Niro visited the Oscar Wilde Bar on April 6, 2023, and he was arrested a few months afterward.
Niro’s legal representatives contended in court that the federal team had unlawfully collected his DNA without a warrant and infringed on his privacy rights since he was engaged in a private job at that time.
Defense attorney Rosemary Scapicchio raised questions about the nature of the DNA collection, suggesting that it was more akin to a “theft” rather than abandonment.
Prosecutors countered that the bar was a public place, implying Niro relinquished any rights over the items taken by the staff.
Mark Bedelow, a defense attorney familiar with the case but not directly involved, expressed agreement with the prosecution, stating that the argument claiming DNA theft was ineffective.
He pointed out that federal authorities had reasonable cause to suspect Niro, having employed genetic genealogy techniques through various online platforms like MyHeritage.com and FamilyTreeDNA to pinpoint him as a suspect.
Bedelow further explained that once Niro’s tableware was cleared by the staff, he effectively surrendered any claims over it. “You can’t expect to keep control or ownership once it’s taken away,” he remarked. “This is abandoned property… No reasonable expectation of privacy exists here.”
He alluded to many cases that have been solved through DNA evidence left behind by suspects, citing the example of Rex Heuerman, linked to a string of murders, whose DNA was found on a pizza peel discarded outside his office.
“Big cases can break open this way,” Bedelow noted, adding that such investigative methods are standard, especially when authorities regard the suspect as dangerous. “Given Niro’s serious allegations, it’s not shocking the FBI dedicated significant resources to the operation.”
The proceedings regarding the legality of Niro’s DNA collection will continue until August. He has been released on a $500,000 bail with electronic monitoring and faces charges including aggravated rape, kidnapping, and indecent assault. Niro has steadfastly maintained his innocence.
