By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – The defendants in two separate court cases that have an intriguing link appeared in downtown courtrooms Tuesday.
Lynn Dejac was expecting to have all charges against her formally dismissed in connection with the 1993 death of her 13-year-old daughter Crystallynn Girard. But following a closed door meeting Tuesday involving DeJac, her attorneys, prosecutors and the judge, the court session was adjourned until Thursday. No reason was given. Prosecutors said the delay was "procedural." Her attorney Andrew LoTempio said he couldn't comment on why the court session was adjourned.
Dejac served 13 years in prison after she was convicted of murdering Crystallynn. But prosecutors now say a review of medical evidence indicates the girl died of a cocaine overdose and that she was not strangled to death.
DeJac was released from prison in November after new DNA evidence linked her ex-boyfriend Dennis Donohue to Crystallyn's death.
Earlier in the day, Erie County Court Judge Sheila DiTullio denied bail Donohue's bid for bail in a separate murder. He will remain behind bars to await trial for the 1993 strangulation death of Joan Giambra in her South Buffalo home. Donohue's trial begins in April.