", "My daughter's name is Samantha Josephson," Marci said during an emotional bond hearing on Saturday, according to a recording from WIS News in Columbia, SC. NBC 10 reports that 21-year-old Josephson had "numerous wounds evident on multiple parts of her body to Josephson's parents also established the What's My Name foundation, which raises awareness about rideshare safety and encourages providers to enact policies that help riders ensure they are getting into the right car. Murder victim Samantha Josephson, 21, was stabbed around 120 times in her horrific March 2019 death, according to Monday testimony from a forensic pathologist. A noon funeral was set for Wednesday at Congregation Beth Chaim, 329 Village Road East in the Princeton Junction section of West Windsor. . Additionally, Josephsons DNA was collected from Rowlands fingernails. According to a warrant for Rowland's arrest, Josephson suffered "numerous wounds" to her head, neck, face, upper body, leg and foot. She absolutely had no chance. Judge Newman also said he was convinced of the defendants guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Many posts include a white bunny, such as this selfie taken in his car. Although there will not be an entire show dedicated to the murder of Samantha Josephson there will be an entire episode feature about the case. She was last seen getting into a car at approximately 2 a.m. on March 29. During the trial, his girlfriend said he described the area where he picked up Josephson as lit, meaning that it was active and exciting. [41], Josephson's parents have worked with lawmakers in the United States Congress to craft a federal law to enhance ride-share safety. Samantha Lee Josephson was born in Princeton, New Jersey, and grew up in Robbinsville, New Jersey. [22], Nathaniel Rowland was seen by police driving a car that matched the description of the one Josephson was seen entering in the surveillance video. 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. She bled profusely, ultimately dying within 10-20 minutes, according to the pathologist who conducted an autopsy on her body. Josephsons roommates called him the next morning, saying she had not come home, so he drove two hours to Columbia to look for her. We've seen crime scene and autopsy pictures. The images are of black women, but there are suggestions that Mr. Rowland was interested in white women. The judge said the case was the "most severe" murder he had seen in court before. Mr. Rowlands girlfriend and the mother of his child, Monica Howard, testified that Mr. Rowland came home the night before the killing, but when she woke up the next morning to go to work, he was gone. Have a tip or story idea? All roads led to you, he told Mr. Rowland. During the trial, pathologist Dr. Thomas Beaver described around 120 separate stab wounds on Josephson's body, with a majority of the wounds on her head, chest, back, and arms. During the attack, Josephson attempted to shield herself. [48] [49], Josephson was awarded a posthumous political science degree in May 2019 at what would have been her graduation ceremony. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Several key investigators took the stand Thursday in day three of the trial of Nathaniel Rowland. When she learned she had been accepted to Drexel Law School on a full scholarship, she decided to celebrate at the Bird Dog, a pub in the Five Points night-club area of Columbia. [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. The crossed-arms image in this post is the Wakanda Forever salute. Police have not said what was used to cause the wounds. [6][30][26] Immediately after Rowland's conviction, State Circuit Judge Clifton Newman sentenced him to life in prison. The Clarendon County Coroner on Monday released a cause for Josephson of death as "multiple sharp force injuries" for Samantha Josephson following an autopsy. According to TV network A&E the episode will air on their show Killer Cases. [5] On July 27, the jury found Rowland guilty of Josephson's kidnapping and murder and the judge sentenced him to life in prison. 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. The area was called 5 Points and was heavily viewed on social media when video surveillance footage began circulating of Josephson getting into a black Chevy Impala around 2am. Investigators said they also found bleach, germicidal wipes and window cleaner in the car. The alleged killer, Nathaniel David Rowland, 25, wasn't there to hear it. [emailprotected]. Rowland also stabbed Josephson in her head with enough force that the knife went through her skull to her brain. The image of Samantha fighting for her life has haunted her parents for the past 28 months. #FakeUberMurderTrial The defendants DNA was not found under the victims fingernails HOWEVER we just learned that the victims DNA was found under the defendants fingernails. Burial will follow at Perrineville Cemetery in the Perrineville section of Millstone in Monmouth County. "[8][31] Newman also characterized Rowland as being "heartless" and said the case was the "most severe" murder he had seen in court before. Rowland was sentenced to life in prison on July 27, 2021. Save Thousands And Fall Back In Love With Your Kitchen! Note the emojis in this photo: a snowflake, a white bunny, and a target. 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. Josephson had spent the night before her death in the Five Points district in downtown Columbia with friends. ': Brian Walshe Dismembered Wife Ana's Body and Made Incriminating Internet Searches, Prosecutor Says, Police Use Taser to Arrest John Deere Tractor-Driving Suspect Who Led Police on Slow-Speed Chase in North Carolina, Derek Chauvin's Lawyer Asks Appeals Court to Toss Murder Convictions, Citing 'Overwhelmingly Hostile' Media Coverage, Lonely Nerd Who Allegedly Attempted to Seduce a Minor Online Busted in Undercover Sting Operation, Accused Kidnapper Used Fake Name When Dating Victim, Who Then Discovered He Was Married: Deputies, Pro-Trump Twitter Troll Loses First Amendment Challenge Against Election Interference Charges, READ: Newly Unsealed Bryan Kohberger Warrant Reddish/Brown Stain Found in Accused Killers Home. [2] Josephson, 21, had ordered an Uber and mistakenly entered a car that she thought was her ride. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. 5. . Rowlands defense attorneys called no witnesses and Rowland did not testify. Mr. Rowland left home at about midnight. Emailus. At one point, he went the wrong way down a one-way street. This description of her murder is quite graphic: Using a two-bladed knife, Rowland proceeded to inflict roughly 120 stab wounds upon Josephson. The details of the horrifying December assault come days after police in South Carolina announced that 21-year-old Samantha Josephson was found dead after getting into a car she may have thought was an Uber she ordered. South Carolina representative Seth Rose in a tweet took to heart the message from Samantha's father Seymour that he is making rideshare safety part of his mission inlife. Rowland is accused of kidnapping and killing University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson in March of 2019. Rowland is accused of kidnapping and killing University of South Carolina. At about 2:00 am she decided to leave the Bird Dog bar and ordered an Uber. ", Marci then implored the court to keep Rowland in jail, and that he "should never be given the right to walk free again.". South Carolina's last execution tookplace in 2011 and there are currently 37 men on death row. Rowland faces up to life in prison if convicted. Rowland was charged with murder and kidnapping on Saturday after he returned to the Five Points area. In South Carolina a life sentence means there can never be parole. The real driver testified at trial that when he showed up, she wasnt there. 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Man Convicted of Breaking into Home, Murdering 2 Kids and Woman over Facebook Post. Josephsons autopsy also revealed the extent of her blood lossthe human body normally has several litres of blood, but Josephson's body only contained 20 millilitres (0.70impfloz; 0.68USfloz). In the dark, she probably couldnt tell them apart. RM T29H53 - Columbia, South Carolina USA - March 31, 2019: University of South Carolina students mourn the death of their slain fellow Gamecock Samantha Josephson during a candlelight vigil held in her honor. Authorities haven't said if they know why Rowland allegedly picked up Josephson. The officer said, Get your hands out of your pockets. [25] In addition to Josephsons murder, Rowland is alleged to have sold items that were stolen from a woman during a kidnapping in Columbia. Before you get in the car, check that license plate, driver photo, and driver name all match what's listed in the app.". She asked if he had hit a dog. [17] The car also contained Josephson's phone[25] as well as a large amount[16] of her blood, which was in the passenger seat and in the trunk. Phil Murphy also signed legislation, which is referred to as "Sami's Law," that requires rideshare drivers to provide and display identification information. In March 2019, Samantha Josephson, a white 21-year-old from New Jersey, was finishing her senior year at the University of South Carolina. Samantha went missing for hours before she was found. WLTX 7/26/2021. But he will spend the rest of his life behind bars after the jury found him guilty on three counts of murder, kidnapping and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. East in Princeton Junction. COLUMBIA Samantha Josephson was a fighter, who tore her fingernails as she clawed her attacker before she was killed while locked in the back of a black sedan that she thought was her Uber. 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