A Half Century Later: Justice Served in Judy Lord's Murder Case

In a significant breakthrough, authorities in New Hampshire have finally solved the murder of Judith "Judy" Lord, a 22-year-old mother killed in her Concord apartment in 1975. The case, which spanned over five decades, was stalled due to flawed forensic science that initially misled investigators. Judy's body was discovered by her apartment manager, who entered her home to collect overdue rent and heard her baby crying for hours. Her 20-month-old son was found unharmed in a nearby room. The investigation revealed that Judy had been strangled in her bedroom, where signs of a violent struggle were evident. She was found naked, and evidence pointed to a sexual assault. Ernest Theodore Gable, Judy's neighbor and a 24-year-old at the time, was initially identified as a suspect. However, a flawed FBI hair analysis report incorrectly excluded him from the investigation. This report contradicted key physical evidence and other findings that made Gable the prime suspect. "Early on, we had a suspect, but flawed forensic science stalled the case, " said New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella. The FBI report, which used microscopic hair analysis, concluded that five hair samples found on Judy's body did not match Gable. This conclusion derailed the case for decades, despite compelling evidence against him. The case was reopened in 2003 by the Concord Police Department, leading to a new analysis of the evidence. Advanced DNA testing eventually linked Gable to Judy's murder. A review by the Department of Justice in 2015 found that microscopic hair analysis techniques were no longer considered reliable for positive identification in criminal cases. Gable died in Los Angeles in 1987 under the alias Ernest Stansberry. If he were still alive, he would have been charged with first-degree murder. The resolution of this case brings a measure of peace to Judy's family and the Concord community, nearly 50 years after her tragic death. This case highlights the importance of advancing forensic techniques and the need for continuous review of old evidence. It also underscores the impact of flawed science on criminal investigations and the justice system.