Prosecutors: Suspect's DNA a ‘possible contributor' on knife recovered inside Savopoulos home

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WASHINGTON - There is new information in the case of Daron Wint, the man accused of killing Savvas and Amy Savopoulos, their son Philip and housekeeper Veralicia Figueroa, in the family's Northwest D.C. mansion two years ago. In a new court filing, Wint has been listed as a "possible contributor" to DNA found on a knife discovered in the basement of the home.

Wint is accused of viciously stabbing and beating to death the four people police say he held hostage inside the house in May 2015.

Until now, there had been no direct link to a possible murder weapon. But in a nine-page report filed this week, prosecutors say not only did investigators find DNA on a knife, but that Wint's DNA cannot be excluded from hairs found inside the house as well.

In a court hearing last October, prosecutors revealed DNA evidence from five items linked Wint to the murders inside the Savopoulos home. But only two of them had been made public until now.

Prosecutors had previously revealed Wint's DNA had been found on a pizza crust inside the home and it had also been found on a reflective vest found inside a stolen Porsche.

In the new report, prosecutors list 14 items in which Wint was a "possible contributor" including a knife from basement of the Savopoulos' home. The report also says Wint's DNA cannot be excluded from hairs found on a piece of bedding and a hard hat.

Attorney David Benowitz, who is not representing Wint, says the report raises a number of questions.

"One - what type of knife is this? Is it a pocket knife? Is it a knife used to cut food? We don't know that," Benowitz said. "Where was the knife found? Where on the knife was Mr. Wint's DNA allegedly found? That could be very important. It's also very important to know if anyone else's DNA was found on it. Were any of the decedents' DNA found on it? Because if there weren't, then that knife may not have as much impact as the government thinks."

He also points out the defense has been given a 61-page report on the DNA, which is not public and will likely answer some of those questions.

Wint was captured and taken into custody just days after the murders. Police say he held the family hostage and only killed them after setting the house on fire and $40,000 was delivered to the house.

However, the fire did not consume a pizza box that prosecutors say contained a piece of crust with Wint's DNA.

His trial is set for September 2018.

This DNA report was filed in advance of a hearing scheduled for June 9 in which Wint will be asked if he wants to waive his right to have the DNA retested.

The U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment on the report.

FOX 5 also reached out to Wint's defense attorney, but has not responded as of Friday evening.

Previous FOX 5 Coverage on Savopoulos Mansion Murders:

Additional DNA evidence links Daron Wint to DC mansion murders

Prosecutors list evidence turned over to defense in DC mansion murders case

Suspect charged in DC mansion murders pleads not guilty

6 months later: A deeper look into the DC mansion murders investigation

Detective: DNA from vest, money links Daron Wint to DC quadruple murder

Search warrant: Baseball bat with blood on it found inside home of DC mansion murders

New attorney approved for man charged in DC mansion slayings

Items moved from Savopoulos house; suspect set for July court appearance

Search warrants: Shoe print, broken door show signs of forced entry into Savopoulos' home