Easthampton murder suspect Ryan Welch must submit DNA sample

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Ryan Welch , the man accused of murdering his girlfriend at her Easthampton apartment in February, will have to provide a DNA sample to prosecutors, a judge has ruled.

According to a news release sent to 22News by Mary Carey of the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office , the judge agreed with prosecutors’ arguments that they have shown the sample would be relevant to compare with biological samples found in the investigation.

Welch is accused of the murder of Jessica Ann Pripstein , whose lifeless body was discovered in her Ward Avenue apartment on February 20. Welch was arraigned in the hospital while being treated for gunshot wounds police say were self-inflicted.

Welch’s attorney, Paul Rudof, had argued that this was not necessary, as prosecutors already had blood samples drawn from Welch while he was in the hospital.

Chief Trial Counsel Jeremy Bucci countered that a DNA sample is necessary to prove the blood samples from the hospital were in fact from Welch.

Welch is currently being held at the Hampshire County Jail and House of Corrections.