National DNA search delivers conviction in '01 sex assault

Rosa Ramirez, Rocky Mountain News

Published June 26, 2007 at midnight

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A man apprehended with El Paso County's first DNA arrest warrant has been found guilty of all charges.

A 12-member jury yesterday found Daniel Logan Hayes guilty of sexual assault and second-degree burglary after deliberating for less than three hours, a press release said. Both charges are class 3 felonies.

Hayes had been extradited from Kentucky, where he is serving a prison sentence for sexual assault on a 68-year-old woman.

Hayes forced his way into the Colorado victim's home in Green Mountain Falls on July 23, 2001. Hayes was dressed in dark clothing and had a mask on, authorities said.

Hayes then blindfolded the 56-year-old woman and repeatedly sexually assaulted her.

He later forced her to shower.

During the trial, the jury heard testimony from the victim as well as testimony from Hayes' victim in the Kentucky case.

Both cases were similar in nature, the press release said.

Authorities were able to link Hayes to the case with DNA that was collected from the scene.

In January 2004, El Paso County Sheriff's Detective Cliff Porter, with the assistance of Chief Deputy District Attorney Diana May, was able to obtain the county's first DNA John Doe arrest warrant.

They put his DNA information on a national database and authorities were able to get a match, said Denise Minish, a spokeswoman for the district attorney's office.

In January 2006, Hayes was served with the Colorado warrant and extradited.

The jury deliberated for less than three hours before finding Hayes guilty.

He will be in custody without bail pending sentencing.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 12.

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