North Carolina man gets life in prison for 1984 Columbia rape and assault

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A North Carolina man convicted last month in a Columbia rape and assault from 1984 was sentenced Friday to two consecutive life sentences.

A jury convicted Wilson of rape and first-degree assault for raping and repeatedly stabbing a 17-year-old girl in the throat in the 4000 block of Wellington Drive in northeast Columbia on March 24, 1984. The woman testified against Wilson during the trial that lasted four days.

The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning a verdict and recommended life in prison.

The defense fought for two ten year sentences, arguing Wilson has been a law abiding citizen for 40 years and has been taking care of his life and family.

The state argued for life in prison, stating Wilson sought out the victim and persisted to cut her neck.

Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson said, "this whole time the victim has been looking over her shoulder wondering if he's going to come back again, he's already lived his life and now its time for him to take accountability for what he did,"

The cold case was reopened by the Columbia Police Department in 2020. The 1984 sexual assault kit conducted at University Hospital was sent for Sorenson Forensics in Salt Lake City, Utah. The DNA profile created from the suspect's DNA ultimately led detectives to Wilson.

Rodger said the case would not have been possible without the Columbia Police Department.

Judge Brouck Jacobs accepted the jury's recommendation of life in prison during Friday's sentencing hearing.