SUSPECT IN 1997 COLD CASE INDICTED FOR RAPE BASED ON DNA HIT

Posted on 3/31/2016

Defendant: Joseph Edward Carter

Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced today that the Franklin County Grand Jury has returned a rape indictment on Joseph Edward Carter, age 45, in connection to an offense that took place in 1997.  Carter has been indicted for one count Rape with Repeat Violent Offender Specification (F-1), and one count Kidnapping with Repeat Violent Offender Specifiaction (F-1), for a total of two counts.  On August 30, 1997, the 18 year old victim at the time, was walking in the area of Beatty Park towards her residence, when she was grabbed by a male who then proceeded to rape her.  In July of 2015, evidence from the victim’s sexual assault was submitted to BCI for testing.  In September, a DNA profile was obtained matching the DNA profile of Joseph Edward Carter.  Carter was 27 years old at the time of the rape.  On February 19, 2016, Carter was arrested in Tulsa, Oklahoma by the Tulsa Police Department and he was subsequently extradited to Columbus.  “The defendant faces a potential sentence in excess of twenty years in prison”, O’Brien stated.  O’Brien further stated, “DNA technology has advanced substantially over the past three decades, which increases our chances of solving cases like this where the evidence has been preserved”.  Arraignment for Carter will be set for Monday, April 4th at 1:30 pm in courtroom 2A at 345 S. High Street.