BELLEFONTE, Pa. (WTAJ) – A man was found guilty by the court on Thursday for the rape and assault of a woman nearly 30 years ago.
Scott R. Williams, 52, of Reedsville, was found guilty by Judge Brian Marshall for raping and assaulting a Penn State student outside of an apartment in State College in May of 1995, causing her minor brain damage and fractures to her skull, face and jaw. Police found her in the middle of Pugh Street.
Due to the brain damage, the victim was unable to identify Williams and law enforcement was reliant on DNA evidence in this prosecution.
Centre County First Assistant District Attorney Sean McGraw wrote in a statement to WTAJ that the prosecution of this case, and Thursday's verdict, is the result of meticulous police work, some of which was groundbreaking in the state.
"Today’s verdict represents the culmination of some of the finest police work I have ever seen. Immediately after the victim was discovered, the State College Police embarked on an extremely thorough investigation, leaving no stone unturned in an effort to find the perpetrator," McGraw said. "Detective Tom Jordan’s ingenuity in filing a 'John Doe' DNA complaint was a first in Pennsylvania and kept the statute of limitations from running. Detective Ralph Ralston continued Jordan’s work, interviewing additional witnesses and taking the crucial step of having the DNA evidence re-tested using new technology that enabled the profile to be entered into the national database. The investigation culminated, of course, in the tireless work of Detective Steve Bosak, who solved the case using investigative techniques based on genetic genealogy."
Other charges against Williams, including one felony count of robbery and numerous misdemeanor charges, were not prosecuted or quashed by the defense.
Williams is scheduled to appear before the judge on March 25 for sentencing.