Among a number of stab wounds in her flank area, one actually went into the lung, he said. [26][18], On July 27, 2021, Rowland was found guilty of kidnapping and murdering Josephson and of possessing a weapon during a violent crime after the jury deliberated for a little over an hour. Josephson's death in 2019 drew national attention to safety concerns about ride-hailing services and prompted changes. New Jersey native Samantha Josephson, 21, was killed by Nathaniel Rowland after she mistakenly got into his car after a night of drinking in Columbia in 2019, prosecutors told the jury, according . Both sides have rested their case in the trial of the man charged with killing University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson. When Miss Howard saw a news report about Samantha Josephsons disappearance, and saw a video of her boyfriends car, she knew what had happened, but she was afraid to call the police. Samantha Josephsons blood and DNA were found all over the car: the rear seat, the rear center console, the drivers side headrest, the gearshift, the seat backs, and the roof. Samantha Josephson, a 21-year-old University of South Carolina from Robbinsville, New Jersey who was set to graduate and go to law school, was found dead in March of 2019 in South Carolina . GRAPHIC WARNING: Details included in this article may be disturbing to some readers. Mr. Rowland faced three charges: Murder; kidnapping; and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. In May 2019, legislators in South Carolina passed the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act. She told them everything she had seen. Judge Newman also said he was convinced of the defendants guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. @LawCrimeNetwork pic.twitter.com/vpa5YKqC1J, Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) July 26, 2021. When examining the victim's back, she observed six puncture marks and explains why she feels the victim was stabbed at least twice, if not three times. There was a strong smell of marijuana coming from the car. She was found on her back, fully clothed, with her shirt pulled up toward her head. The video shows Samantha Josephson, 21, on her phone near a crowd gathered outside a bar in Columbia's Five Points entertainment district at around 2 a.m. Friday. Many stab wounds to her ear, lower back, side, arms, elbows, and leg, including a 7cm deep wound on her thigh, which was the deepest. Josephsons roommate testified in court that she began to worry about her friend when she learned Josephson had not showed up at work that day. He's been indicted for murdering Samantha Josephson,' Gipson said, according to NBC. [40], Additional legislation aimed at protecting ride-share users is pending. Retracing Alex Murdaugh's Steps in Alleged Phone Toss, Preview: Jury to Visit Murdaugh Crime Scene. She had gotten into a car thinking it was her Uber, police said. S.S.S. Samantha Lee Josephson was born in Princeton, New Jersey, and grew up in Robbinsville, New Jersey. Miss Howard drove while Mr. Rowland sat in the passenger seat, cleaning a multi-tool that had two knife blades. As reported by WYFF4, Josephson got separated from her friends, and reportedly contacted Uber for a ride back to . The public defender, Ashley Goode, cross-examined Jazic asking if she documented any scratches on Rowland at the police station. He was not willing to pay $300, so he gave it back. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Many of the wounds, especially those in her right neck and right shoulder, were close together, most likely resulting from being rapidly inflicted stab wounds. 5. Prosecutors did not choose to seek the death penalty. . Samantha L. Josephson, 21, passed away Friday March 29, 2019. Osharmar Williams, owner of Cellular City, also took the stand Thursday. In previous testimony, Rowland's attorneys have pointed out scientists weren't absolutely certain Rowland's DNA was on the knife and his genetic material wasn't in other places it might be expected. 9/18/19 Graphic Warning: Autopsy report shows victim stabbed twice, if not three times. It's a developing story, but she apparently got into the wrong car, mistaking it for her Uber and the killer dumped her in a rural field. Why, to put it bluntly, didnt he rape Josephson? Every speck of evidence led to you. The judge added that this was the most severe murder he had seen, and that leniency was not part of his DNA. Instead, Rowland kidnapped and murdered Josephson, leaving her body in Clarendon County, South Carolina, prosecutors say. . The image of Samantha fighting for her life has haunted her parents for the past 28 months. Additionally, Josephsons DNA was collected from Rowlands fingernails. At the time of the incident, she was just weeks away from graduation. Seymour Josephson, the father of murder victim Samantha, explained how he is ensuring rideshare safety through a mobile app to prevent the tragic death of his daughter from happening to someone else. Cell phone towers tracked both Josephsons and Mr. Rowlands phones, which traveled together for 20 minutes before her phone turned off at 2:33 a.m. Rowlands phone was traced to the Rosewood neighborhood of Columbia, where his sister lives. Thomas Beaver testifies about Samantha Josephsons death. For what? She asked where her visor was, and he replied, In the country., He told her that it had blood on it. Samantha Josephson, 21, a student at the University of South Carolina, called an Uber around 2 a.m. Friday in Columbia, and was last seen getting into a black Chevy Impala, said Columbia Police . Samantha Josephson. In June 2019, New Jersey Gov. Williams said Rowland wouldnt take $125 for the phone because he wanted more money. [17] Additionally, the child locks were activated, which police believe prevented Josephson from escaping. Her shirt, which was orange, was so soaked with blood that it looked red. The contents of this website are copyright 1990-2023 New
The first piece was a blood-soaked bra the victim had on that night. Nathaniel Rowland, 24, the accused, has denied any wrongdoing. [6][7][8], The killing attracted national attention and led to discussion about the dangers of ridesharing and the importance of ensuring that a rideshare car is being driven by a registered driver prior to entering. University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson was stabbed 120 times, according to chilling testimony provided this week by the pathologist who conducted her autopsy. [27] According to Richland County deputies, hours after the alleged kidnapping Rowland sold some of the items stolen from the woman, including the Playstation 4, at a pawn shop. However, when they asked the man to step out of the vehicle, he fled on foot. A forensic pathologist goes over the autopsy report of Amy Mullis. That changed on March 29, 2019, when Samantha Josephson mistook Rowland's black 2017 Chevy Impala for her Uber ride. He also read off a few texts from Howards phone to Rowland. Mr. Rowland said, I know Im innocent, but I guess what I know, what I think really doesnt matter. It was almost as if the team had decided the case was hopeless, so the black woman might as well get some experience. [37], Josephsons murder prompted lawmakers in North Carolina to propose the Passenger Protection Act. Police searched the backyard of Mr. Rowlands and Miss Howards apartment and found the murder weapon inside a plastic shopping bag left in a trash can. [12] She earned a full scholarship to Drexel University, as well as a partial scholarship to Rutgers[13] and aspired to practice international law. As reported by WYFF4, Josephson got separated from her friends, and reportedly contacted Uber for a ride back to her apartment. Beaver said that Josephson also sustained wounds to her head, and had defensive-type injuries to a palmnamely, two parallel stab wounds that went through her hand. A comment since removed that was posted to Mr. Rowlands Facebook page after his arrest, says as much. Josephsons blood was also found on a sock and a bandana, both owned by Rowland. . Police stopped . Samantha also got a scholarship to study law at Drexel . He might have known that ride-share services are popular with students who get so drunk they cant drive. I just wish the state would have done more in finding out who the actual person was, instead of being satisfied with detaining me and proving my guilt., Mr. Rowlands mother tried to tell Judge Newman that her son was innocent, but he cut her off. She was found dead in a field", "Benson, DeAngelo and Vainieri Huttle Bill "Sami's Law" Requiring Rideshare Driver, Car Identification Passes Assembly", "Nathaniel Rowland Trial: His DNA not found on Samantha Josephson, but someone else's was, defense saysn", "Nathaniel Rowland found guilty of the murder of Samantha Josephson", "Nathaniel Rowland sentenced to life in prison", "Life in prison for man in killing of South Carolina student who mistook his car for an Uber", "Pathologist speaks for the dead, tells jury in Rowland trial how USC student died", "Missing college student confirmed dead in South Carolina", "Grieving dad eulogizes daughter Samantha Josephson during tear-filled ceremony", "Slain USC student Samantha Josephson was 'sweet as can be,' planned to study law", "A South Carolina student thought she had gotten into her Uber, police say. The jury took a little more than an hour to find Nathaniel Rowland guilty of the charges in the death of Samantha Josephson in Columbia, South Carolina in March 2019. Legislation of the same name at the federal level was signed into law by President Joe Biden on January 5, 2023. I suspect he was looking for a white woman and that he did plan to rape her. [43] The bill, which is also titled "Sami's Law," was introduced on June 13, 2019. His Impala jumps a curb to pull into an empty handicapped space next to Josephson. In her victim impact statement, Marci Josephson, the victims mother said, Her dreams were my dreams, and her death was my death. Rowland faces up to life in prison if convicted. [50], Josephson was awarded a posthumous political science degree in May 2019 at what would have been her graduation ceremony. I try to move forward each day, but forever will be broken.. COLUMBIA, S.C. 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