Trial hears details of how DNA led to arrest in Sweeney murder case

A Sudbury jury was told Wednesday that advances in DNA technology and an offer from a U.S. laboratory led Sudbury police to make an arrest in the Renee Sweeney murder case.

A Sudbury jury was told Wednesday that advances in DNA technology and an offer from a U.S. laboratory led Sudbury police to make an arrest in the Renee Sweeney murder case.

Greater Sudbury Police Sgt. Robert Weston told jurors details of exactly how police ended up charging Robert Steven Wright with second-degree murder in Sweeney’s death more than two decades after the crime.

Sweeney was stabbed to death Jan. 27, 1998, while working at an Adults Only Video store on Paris Street in the city. One person – John Fetterly – was charged in the case Feb. 10, 1998, but was released two days later when police said they made a mistake.

When Wright was charged in the case in December 2018, police made reference to DNA evidence being key.

On Wednesday, Weston testified that he agreed to assume the role of lead investigator in the case in October 2013.

He said had to review 15 years of case files to get up to speed.

“The Renee Sweeny homicide is the largest criminal investigation ever undertaken by Sudbury police,” Weston said.