Beaver said he did not know how Josephsons knuckles were injured. [39] The law was signed by Governor Roy Cooper in August 2019. Nathaniel Rowland, 24, the accused, has denied any wrongdoing. He knew the route from the Bird Dog to her home; he had taken it many times himself. Other items she gathered and presented on the witness stand were a roll of duct tape and bleach wipes with blood on them. 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. Notice a spelling or grammar error in this article? The contents of this website are copyright 1990-2023 New Have a tip or story idea? In March 2019, Samantha Josephson, a white 21-year-old from New Jersey, was finishing her senior year at the University of South Carolina. Click or tap here to report it. WLTX 7/26/2021. 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. I have had to look for motives myself. Prosecutors have taken a methodical approach to the entire trial. womanspace.org. Samantha Josephson's murder prompted several measures to increase awareness and safety when using rideshare services. CASE BACKGROUND | Trial of man accused in UofSC student's kidnapping, death set to begin. She earned a full scholarship to Drexel University, as . [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. Prosecutors did not choose to seek the death penalty. Nipsey Hussle probably knew how to . That probably happened when she was dragged by her feet to where she was dumped. Josephson's death turned a national spotlight on ride-hailing safety and led to some changes, including more prominent displays of driver's license plates. I try to move forward each day, but forever will be broken.. "For whoever asked me for leniency, that's not part of my DNA," said Judge Newman. He was not charged with a hate crime, nor was he charged with rape. So Rowland left with the phone. She no longer went partying with him, she said, because she was working double shifts at McDonalds to support the daughter they had together. Mr. Rowland left home at about midnight. The crossed-arms image in this post is the Wakanda Forever salute. At one point, he went the wrong way down a one-way street. The Tragic Murder Of Samantha Josephson Explained. Many posts include a white bunny, such as this selfie taken in his car. John A. Carlos II/Special to The Post and Courier The full video of the mornings proceedings can be watched here: To catch up on what happened in court Thursday afternoon, here is the full video: Each day, look for a new story with the live stream of the trial on wistv.com or the WIS News app. The bill would also regulate the sale of official ride-share signage, require a Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on incidents of assault and abuse of passengers and drivers, and require the GAO to examine the nature and specifics of background checks that are conducted by companies and the state standards of background checks. Josephson's death in 2019 drew national attention to safety concerns about ride-hailing services and prompted changes. [45][46] Josephson's death promoted the University of South Carolina to launch a campaign titled "What's My Name" to help students stay safe while using ride-sharing services. Samantha Josephson had just finished a night celebrating her impending college graduation when she made one fatal mistake. This post, about the need for blacks to support black businesses shows that Mr. Rowland was race conscious. The state also called Jack Jamison to testify. The comments below have been moderated in advance. There was an envelope in the trash, with Josephsons blood on it, and these words, in Mr. Rowlands handwriting: Duck tape tape whole body/gloves/All black/Flip phone/Gasoline/Matches.. Do We Riot or Not? At about 2:00 am she decided to leave the Bird Dog bar and ordered an Uber. On June 5, 2019, the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act was signed into law in South Carolina. Their questioning has also shown that while Josephson appeared to fight her attackershe had several stab wounds that went all the way through her handsnone of Rowland's DNA was found on her or under her fingernails and no visible marks were found on Rowland after his arrest. The final moments, her bare feet kicking and fighting for her life. Although she had contacted Uber for a ride, asThe U.S. Sunreported, authorities determined Josephson got into the wrong car. Following his arrest, authorities reportedly made a number of gruesome discoveries inside the vehicle. Jazic said there were no scratches at all anywhere on Rowlands body. The investigator then pulled Josephsons shirt out of the evidence bag and held it up. Decide for yourself what the target means. Forensic investigators determined that she was killed in the car. Instead, the University of South Carolina student from Robbinsville, New Jersey, found herself trapped in the back seat because Rowland had the childproof lock on, investigators said. 21-year-old University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson was out with friends in Columbia's Five Points on March 29, 2019. Miss Howard noticed that Mr. Rowland had a rose-gold iPhone, in perfect condition, which she assumed was a womans phone. Autopsy details released after young woman's wrong-car murder Samantha Josephson, 21, was kidnapped and killed "with multiple sharp force objects" after she got into a car she thought was her Uber . She said that riding in a car with blood in it does not make you a murderer, and that if it did, Mr. Rowlands girlfriend should have been charged. [2] Josephson, 21, had ordered an Uber and mistakenly entered a car that she thought was her ride. [17] When Rowland, who was driving around the Five Points area where Josephson was kidnapped, was pulled over he got out of the car and ran away. Miss Josephsons iPhone was in the car and child safety locks were turned on. [17] Specifically, the pathologist determined that she suffered approximately 120 separate stab wounds. The murder led to the passage of Samis Law in New Jersey, which enhances protections for drivers and passengers using ride share services. Ride-share vehicles must also have an identifying marker on the front windshield and back window. Samantha Josephson, 21, made the fatal mistake of not checking the Uber car she was boarding. That changed on March 29, 2019, when Samantha Josephson mistook Rowland's black 2017 Chevy Impala for her Uber ride. She reminded the jury that when Mr. Rowland was arrested, he had no injuries, and a scraping from under Josephsons fingernail did not show Mr. Rowlandss DNA, which suggested she did not fight back. Rowland, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has maintained his innocence. Forensic pathologist Thomas Beaver testified in the trial of Nathaniel Rowland, the man charged with murder in the death of University of South Carolina stud. Josephson, who was a senior at the time of her death, had planned to graduate in 2019 and go on to study law at Drexel University School of Law. [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. A stab wound behind her ear, through her skull, and into her brain. But the victims DNA was allegedly found under Rowlands fingernails. She had stab wounds from head to toe. We've seen crime scene and autopsy pictures. In opening arguments in Richland County Judicial Center in Columbia, prosecutors previewed evidence and testimony they said would implicate Rowland. All Rights Reserved. [2], Josephson, a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, studied abroad in Barcelona and visited Madrid and Paris during her time at USC. Nathaniel Rowland appeared in court Tuesday on charges of kidnapping and murder more than two years after the killing of Samantha Josephson, a University of South Carolina student from Robbinsville, New Jersey. Claycomb also showed pictures of the pants Josephson was wearing, which had several defects from alleged knife wounds. Fourteen hours later, her body was found by hunters in a wooded area in Clarendon County. South Carolina lawmakers enacted a measure that requires drivers to make license plate numbers visible in the front of their vehicles and creates criminal penalties for people who impersonate ride-hailing drivers. [28], On July 20, 2021, Rowland's trial began. Strangulation will break it, but Beaver suggested a stab wound damaged Josephsons hyoid bone. Instead, I went to Colombia to gather her belongings. Then Claycomb pulled out a lace bralette Josephson had on over her bra, that was also covered with a large amount of blood. [18], Josephson's roommates became concerned and reported her missing the day after she accidentally entered the vehicle. Rowland faces up to life in prison if convicted. The foundation works to educate people about ride-share safety, along with supporting charitable foundations and awarding college scholarships. [16] An autopsy showed that she died of multiple sharp force injuries. Hours later, hunters found her body", "Family, friends remember Samantha Josephson, murdered after mistaking her killer's car for Uber", "Slain University of South Carolina student died from multiple sharp force injuries, authorities say", "Jury soon will decide whether Nathaniel Rowland kidnapped, killed Samantha Josephson", "Both sides rest in trial of man charged with killing USC student Samantha Josephson", "Expert at SC murder trial: USC student stabbed more than 100 times", "South Carolina man charged with kidnapping, killing N.J. woman bound for Drexel law school", "Suspect in USC student's killing linked to another crime", "New charge filed in kidnapping, killing of USC student Samantha Josephson", "Man convicted of killing woman who mistook his car for Uber", "Fake Uber Driver Accused Of Killing Student Linked To Another Kidnapping", "Suspect in the murder, kidnapping of Samantha Josephson denied bond", "Store owner testifies that Nathaniel Rowland tried to sell him an iPhone after Samantha Josephson's disappearance", "Nathaniel Rowland gets life in prison for murdering USC student Samantha Josephson", "About Foundation | #WHATSMYNAME FOUNDATION | Samantha Josephson", "Three words to help avoid the tragedy of mistaking a killer's car for your Uber", "Slain USC student Samantha Josephson is namesake of ride-share law proposed in US Congress", "2019-2020 Bill 4380: Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act", "Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act", "North Carolina ridesharing bill makes it to governor's desk", "NC HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES PASSENGER PROTECTION ACT", "After rideshare scares, NC lawmakers sign Passenger Protection Act into law", "Senator Anna M. Kaplan Introduces Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act Following Tragedy in South Carolina", "After homicide, NJ's ride-share safety bill closer to becoming national law", "H.R.3262 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Sami's Law", "House passes 'Sami's Law,' ride-share safety bill named for slain USC student Samantha Josephson", "Killing of South Carolina student who mistook car for Uber prompts rideshare-safety campaign", "President Biden signs 'Sami's Law,' named after USC student, into effect", "University of South Carolina awards posthumous degree to Samantha Josephson, who died after getting into wrong car", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Samantha_Josephson&oldid=1140601113, This page was last edited on 20 February 2023, at 21:20. The double-bladed multi-tool had both Mr. Rowlands and Samantha Josephsons DNA on it. Phil Murphy also signed legislation, which is referred to as "Sami's Law," that requires rideshare drivers to provide and display identification information. [51] Her diploma and college possessions were given to her mother. Her work shirt was still wet from being washed, but she put it on. Her arguments made no sense. [5] On July 27, the jury found Rowland guilty of Josephson's kidnapping and murder and the judge sentenced him to life in prison. Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday. 5. The bag also contained blue surgical gloves, a shirt, and a pair of pants that had DNA from both people, and paper towels that tested positive for Josephsons blood. The doctor testified that a pattern of close stab wounds showed she had been stabbed very rapidly. It was almost as if the team had decided the case was hopeless, so the black woman might as well get some experience. Samantha Josephson. During cross-examination, the defense suggested Josephson had what they described as offensive wounds on her knuckles. A pathologist described how slain USC student Samantha Josephson's died during day six of the Rowland murder trial. Following Samantha's death, South Carolina lawmakers introduced legislation that requires drivers to display license plates. Samantha's father, Seymour Josephson, shared his feelings about the anniversary of his daughter's death in a Facebook post. He testified that the average human has over a gallon of blood in his body, but Josephson had only two tablespoons, making it hard to get a large enough sample even for toxicology tests. If convicted The carjackers allegedly physically assaulted the victim and then forced her to drive to an ATM where they robbed her of money,[24] before forcing her to drive to her home where they again robbed her of items including a Playstation 4. Following Samantha's death, South Carolina lawmakers introduced . February 8, 2022 by Juliane Cunha. If he liked lit places, he could have found one with young blacks. Samantha Josephson's body was found in a field in a secluded, wooded area about 90 miles from Columbia about 4 p.m. Friday. Beaver suggested that someone moved the victims body after death. Samantha Josephsons DNA was found on his bandana, shoes, and socks, and under his fingernails. Her story was corroborated by phone records; at 5:31 a.m., she sent him a text, Wya, meaning, Where you at?, Mr. Rowland eventually showed up in his black Impala. The act also introduced criminal charges and penalties for people who pose as rideshare drivers. Both sides have rested their case in the trial of the man charged with killing University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson. We're continuing to follow that trial on the death of Samantha Josephson, who prosecutors say mistook Rowland's car for her Uber ride in Five Points. Howard was Rowlands girlfriend at the time of the Josephsons murder. Tom Davis , Patch Staff Posted Mon, Apr 1, 2019 at 7:05 am ET | Updated Wed, Apr 3, 2019 . Markings on her face were consistent with being dragged. Rowlands defense attorneys called no witnesses and Rowland did not testify. 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