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Chester County Sheriff’s Office
A DNA sample taken from Charles Ugvine Coleman in April of this year identified him as the prime suspect in the murder of a woman four decades ago.
A DNA sample taken from an American man after his arrest for pointing a gun while intoxicated has solved a long-settled case, identifying him as the prime suspect in the murder of a woman four decades ago, according to documents.
Charles Ugvine Coleman, 65, was arrested last week and charged with murder and rape for the murder of Elizabeth Ann Howell Wilson, who disappeared after her shift at a textile factory on March 20, 1976, authorities said.
The break in the case occurred on April 27, when a man called police to tell them that someone who gave him $ 20 to buy crack cocaine fired a rifle at him when he did not deliver the drugs or did not return the money several hours later according to a union. County Sheriff’s Office Report.
An agent found Coleman at a nearby store, where he said he thought the man with his $ 20 had a gun, so he walked away and only fired multiple shots into the air to scare the other man when he was far enough away to be sure. He missed him, according to the report obtained by The Associated Press.
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Agents arrested Coleman. They also arrested the other man, accusing him of breach of trust for taking the $ 20 and not returning it.
South Carolina law required Coleman’s DNA to be collected and sent to state officials after his arrest in April, because pointing and presenting a firearm is a crime punishable by at least five years in prison if it is pleads guilty at trial. He was also charged with using a firearm while under the influence.
Coleman pleaded guilty in September and was sentenced to five years in prison, with the sentence suspended if he successfully completed two and a half years of probation.
Then the DNA results came back, linking it to evidence found after Wilson’s body and vehicle were discovered in Fairfield County, The Rock Hill Herald reported, citing court and police documents.
Wilson worked at a mill in nearby Chester County.
Now Coleman could receive a life sentence if convicted in the murder case.
Coleman’s attorney, public defender Mike Lifsey, said his office plans its own investigation into the case and Coleman is presumed innocent.
Coleman has convictions dating back to 1975, according to records. Records show that in 1977, Coleman was sentenced to 12 years in prison for convictions in Chester County of assault and battery with intent to kill, burglary and larceny.
