GASTON COUNTY, N.C. -- A decade-old murder case is being re-examined, and the convicted killer could go free because of a new DNA test.

• Mark Carver was convicted of killing UNC Charlotte student Ira Yarmolenko in 2011, but Carver, his family and supporters have always maintained his innocence.
• Since the trial, Carver has new attorneys, and advocates say the new DNA test ordered by a judge could help set a new trial, or even help clear Carver's name.
• The hearing is set for April 2, 2019.

Mark Carver was convicted of killing UNC Charlotte student Ira Yarmolenko in 2011, but Carver, his family and supporters have always maintained his innocence.

A woman named Valerie, who preferred her last name not be used, started FreeMarkCarver.com and has supported Carver since the trial in 2011.

"Mark has never wavered in expressing his innocence," Valerie said. "He turned down a plea deal, which would have allowed him to be out by now. He could have been present for his daughters' graduations, for one of his daughter's marriages, for his first grandchild. He's missed all of those things."

Since the trial, Carver has new attorneys, and advocates say the new DNA test ordered by a judge could help set a new trial, or even help clear Carver's name.

According to an order from a Superior Court judge, fingernail scrapings from Yarmolenko will go through Y-STR DNA testing.

"They can detect those male DNA from the victim's fingernails, and some residue that's very hard to detect in many other technologies," said Dr. Mindy Shi, an assistant professor at UNC Charlotte.

Dr. Shi says the test can also help identify and exclude people based on the DNA found in the sample.

Carver's new defense attorney declined to comment, saying she is focusing on the upcoming hearing. The Gaston County District Attorney did not return phone calls pertaining to the new DNA test.

The hearing is set for April 2, 2019.