Matthew Nilo, an attorney from New Jersey, appeared in court Monday as his defense aimed to suppress crucial DNA evidence. Nilo faces accusations of raping or sexually assaulting several women in Boston over 17 years ago.
Nilo, 38, attended Suffolk Superior Court with his fiancée, Laura Griffin, who continues to support him at hearings. The focus was on the DNA evidence that prosecutors claim ties Nilo to multiple assaults in 2007 and 2008. During these years, Nilo would have been 19 or 20.
His defense argues against the validity of this evidence. They state FBI agents collected it without a warrant during a 2023 operation at Oscar Wilde Restaurant and Bar in Manhattan.
Nilo’s defense attorneys state the items were left behind under circumstances where he could not meaningfully retrieve them.
According to The Boston Globe, the FBI followed Nilo from his home in New Jersey to the Manhattan restaurant. Agents coordinated with restaurant staff to collect items like glasses, a fork, and a napkin he used during his meal.
Nilo’s attorney, Joseph Cataldo, contends that the DNA was obtained without Nilo’s consent or a warrant. Cataldo argues that the evidence was taken unlawfully as it was gathered from tableware without proper authorization.
Prosecutors maintain that once Nilo left the items and staff cleared them, he lost any claim to their privacy. They highlight the FBI’s use of genetic genealogy in aligning the DNA from 15 years ago with Nilo’s profile.
In June 2023, prosecutors disclosed a genetic match between DNA from three rape victims and a relative of Nilo, identified through a public database. This was further confirmed using DNA from a glass Nilo used at an event.
Nilo has been free on bail and remains supported by his fiancée. Initial charges in May 2023 included aggravated rape along with other serious allegations. In July 2023, further charges were added.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Nilo’s attorney for comments on the proceedings.