Yorba

A jury convicted David Yorba of various crimes, including murder. In the published portion of this opinion, we consider and reject his complaints concerning admission of forensic and statistical evidence.

I

In July and August 1985, 17-year-old Yorba resided with his mother, 2 sisters, and the elder sister’s boyfriend in an apartment at 2082 North Nordic in Orange. During that period, Laurie Bastían lived at 2084 North Nordic. On the morning of July 3, 1985, she found her sliding glass door and rear patio gate open and her purse missing. She did not report the incident to police.

On August 15, Cindy Monnier, who lived in the same large apartment complex at 2082 Lincoln, discovered her residence had been burgled while she was away the previous evening. Various items were taken, including a portable Yorx stereo. The apartment was ransacked, and a hole had been cut in her water bed.

Monnier reported the burglary to the police. The investigating officer discerned no signs of a forced entry. A bedroom window was open, but heavy dust and water spots did not appear to have been disturbed. He did not attempt to lift fingerprints.

During the last week of August, Bastían…