The state is continuing to gather, test and share evidence with the defense in the case against a brother and sister accused of killing three members of the Lindquist family and setting their Griswold home on fire during a home invasion in December 2017.

The physical evidence collected during the state police investigation includes a DNA sample so small that it is expected to be consumed during upcoming testing at the state Forensic Science Laboratory, according to court testimony. Representatives of the state and both defendants, Sergio and Ruth Correa, will be on hand to observe the testing, which also will be filmed. The testing is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 28.

Attorney Brian S. Carlow, one of two attorneys representing 27-year-old Sergio Correa, said during Correa's appearance in New London Superior Court Friday that he and attorney Michael W. Brown would be receiving additional evidence from the state, including hard copies of materials received digitally, DVDs, CDs and cell phone records.

Carlow said he and Brown would be reviewing the material and intend to share it with Correa, who is being held at the Northern Correctional Institute. Carlow asked State's Attorney Michael L. Regan to let the defense know if there are concerns about sharing the evidence and that some information may be redacted. 

Members of the prosecution team and Victim Services Advocate Stephanie Barber recently met with survivors of the Lindquist family to update them on the case and explain the court process, which is likely to continue for years.

Because of the volume of evidence in the case, Correa, who was charged in May 2018, has continued to waive the time period for notifying the court if he wants a probable cause hearing. Connecticut defendants who could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted are entitled to a hearing within 60 days of their arrest. Correa will not enter a plea in the case until the probable cause issue is decided.

Ruth Correa, 24, who is being held at the Janet S. York Correctional Institution, waived her right to a probable cause hearing in June 2018. It was she, state police say, who provided details of the hours-long crime spree on Dec. 20, 2017 that resulted in the deaths of Janet, Kenneth and Matthew Lindquist.

According to court documents, the Correas, who lived in Hartford, drove to Griswold on Dec. 20 after 21-year-old Matthew Lindquist arranged to let him burglarize the family home in exchange for drugs and money. The siblings allegedly murdered Lindquist and left his body in a wooded area near the family home. Ruth Correa told state police she and her brother then went to the Lindquist home on Kenwood Estates and tortured parents Janet and Kenneth Lindquist before setting the home on fire and leaving with stolen items.

Both siblings are charged with murder with special circumstances, three counts of felony murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree arson and second-degree arson and home invasion.

Ruth Correa's next court date is Feb. 5. Sergio Correa is due back in court on Feb. 8.

k.florin@theday.com