Re: DNA Links Death Row Inmate To 1995 Murder Of Akron
Roseanna, 12, nicknamed Rosie, disappeared on March 1, 1996 from Akron, Ohio, just a few days before her thirteenth birthday. Five days later, her body was found in the basement of a vacant home on South Maple Street in the west side of Akron, by the people moving into that home. She had been raped, strangled, beaten and suffocated.
Rosie's body was found fully clothed; police believe her killer dressed her after death. She had been dead at least two days.
Rosie's murder went unsolved until May 2003 when Donald "Dondie"
Craig was charged with kidnapping, rape and aggravated murder in connection with her case. DNA testing links Craig, who at the time of the charges was serving a prison sentence for arson, to
Rosie's killing. He has always been a suspect in her death. As of April 2004, Craig is awaiting trial.
Rosie was a student at Innes Middle School at the time of her death.
AKRON, Ohio -- The family of a 13-year-old Akron girl murdered 10 years ago rejoiced after a man was convicted in her death Tuesday.
A jury found Donald Craig guilty of rape, aggravated murder and kidnapping.
DNA evidence linked Craig to the murder of Malissa Thomas in 1995. Her frozen body was found in an abandoned
house in Akron.
Craig had been on death row for two years for murdering 12-year-old Rosie Davenport in 1996.
Prosecutors said joy and elation were seen on the faces of Malissa's family after the verdict was read
AKRON, Ohio -- Akron police believe they've solved a murder case that had been cold more than 10 years.
Police say DNA evidence linked Donald Craig, a man already on death row for another murder, to the murder of 13-year-old Malissa Thomas, NewsChannel5 reported.
Malissa's body was found in 1995 in an abandoned house. She had been tied up, raped, and then killed.
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DNA was collected at the scene, but it wasn't until recently that it was possible to match the DNA through a nationwide database to Craig.
Craig was convicted in the 1996 murder of Rosie Davenport -- after DNA linked him to the crime -- and was sentenced to death.
Malissa's mother, Sonya Merchant, said the break in the case brought back a flood of memories.
"When they came out and they told me that they found him, I was up here on cloud 22. And then I started winding down and I could put a face to the murderer, and it seemed like he had just killed her yesterday," said Merchant.
Even though Craig is already on death row, Malissa's family wants a trial and another conviction for her murder.
Investigators say they'll also be looking into other cases to see if they too can be linked to Craig.
AKRON, Ohio -- Testimony began Monday in the rape and murder trial of death row inmate Donald Craig.
Prosecutors said Craig, who is already in prison for another murder, assaulted and killed 13-year-old Malissa Thomas in 1995.
Her frozen body was found in an abandoned house in Akron.
One Akron firefighter who testified said he is still haunted by the memory of the girl.
"Well, the biggest thing that sticks with me and would have to be remembered is that this child had a frozen teardrop in her eye," said Dave Dilauro.
The murder of Malissa Thomas was a mystery for a decade until a cold case investigation turned up DNA evidence implicating Craig.
AKRON -- A jury today found 46-year old Donald Craig guilty in the 1995 rape, murder and kidnapping of Malissa Thomas.
The girl's body was found in a vacant East Avenue home, bound at the ankles and wrists.
She died of hypothermia.
Detectives used DNA Evideonce to link Craig to the murder.
Craig is already on death row for a similar crime.
He was convicted in the 1996 death of 12-year-old Roseanna Davenport.
Jurors will begin hearing evidence in the mitigation phase of the trial next week.