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NM Governor May Seek To Expand DNA Testing Law

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez says she may ask the Legislature to expand a state law to require DNA testing of people arrested for misdemeanor crimes.

The Republican governor made the comments Monday to The Associated Press after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Maryland law for collecting a DNA sample from people arrested for serious crimes.

Martinez, a former prosecutor, said the ruling provided a solid legal foundation for a New Mexico law requiring a DNA sample from adults arrested for any felony.

Martinez signed legislation in 2011 that broadened what's known as "Katie's Law" — named in memory of Kathryn Sepich, a New Mexico State University student murdered in 2003 and whose killer was identified with DNA evidence after he was convicted of another crime.