She was never able to get back outdue to the child locks already in place, according to prosecutor Bryon Gipson's opening statement . Samantha's father appeared at the vigil, too, telling students: "I can't tell you how painful this is.". According to authorities, Rowland activated the child locks so that the doors could only be opened from the outside, thereby trapping Josephson inside the vehicle. Josephson entered the vehicle, thinking it was her Uber driver. "It sickens us to think that his face was the last thing that my baby girl saw on this Earth. When she asked why, he said, Mind your business.. He sentenced Nathaniel Rowland to life in prison. There was so little blood left in her body that the pathologist performing the autopsy barely had enough for routine testing. Probably, we are not supposed to know. Samantha Josephson, from Robinsville, New Jersey, was a student at the University of South Carolina where she majored in political science. [2] Josephson, 21, had ordered an Uber and mistakenly entered a car that she thought was her ride. 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. She was awakened later that night when the police came to her house to question her. Samantha Josephsons parents established the #WHATSMYNAME Foundation in honor of their daughter, to promote rideshare safety. Have a tip or story idea? She was never seen alive again. 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. Her arguments made no sense. During re-direct, he said she might have hit items in the car such as the door or window. The presiding judge, Clifton Newman, was black, and several of the jurors were black. There was no sign of a struggle at that location where she was found. The prosecution rested their case on Monday. His face was not clear because he pulled his jacket up to cover his nose and mouth. The Clarendon County Coroner on Monday released a cause for Josephson of death as multiple sharp force injuries for Samantha Josephson following an autopsy. The judge who sentenced Rowland said: She obviously put up an amazing fight against you and left a sufficient trail for the jury to see what you did.. Mr. Rowland said, I know Im innocent, but I guess what I know, what I think really doesnt matter. This is what one would expect to see if someone were trying to defend themselves from a stabbing, the forensic pathologist said. Authorities haven't said if they know why Rowland allegedly picked up Josephson. She suffered more than 120 stab wounds and bled to death. As Samantha Josephson's hometown of Robbinsville prepares to remember the University of South Carolina senior with a candlelight vigil on Tuesday night, many questions surround the circumstances of her death, including the biggest: Why? [28], On July 20, 2021, Rowland's trial began. She was stabbed with both the double and single blades. Nathaniel Rowland used childproof locks to prevent Josephson from leaving the vehicle and kidnapped and murdered her, leaving her body near New Zion, South Carolina 65 miles (105 km) from Columbia, where she had entered Rowland's car. Over and over and over, fighting for her life, locked in his car." Refresh Your Dated Kitchen Cabinets And Save 75%, 9 NJ Hospitals Among Top 250 In New National Rankings, $3.5M For Small Businesses In Mercer Co. [25] In addition to Josephsons murder, Rowland is alleged to have sold items that were stolen from a woman during a kidnapping in Columbia. During the attack, Josephson attempted to shield herself. Uber added new safety features to the rideshare app after the killing. Samantha Josephson was allegedly kidnapped and killed by a man she thought was her Uber driver in 2019 Credit: Columbia Police Department 5 Security footage shows the moment Samantha got into the car Credit: PA The university student had reportedly been out with her friends in Columbia's Five Point Entertainment district. Later that night, surveillance cameras from two ATMs caught a man of the same size and build as Mr. Rowland unsuccessfully trying to withdraw money using what the ATMs detected to be Josephsons bank card. According to surveillance footage, at 2:09, a black Chevrolet Impala, driven by Rowland, pulled up beside her. When a reporter asked prosecutor Byron Gipson, he said, It was absolutely a random act of violence. A jury found the 27-year-old guilty of Samantha Josephsons murder on July 27, 2021 - we take a look at his life and what led to the killing. Miss Howard drove while Mr. Rowland sat in the passenger seat, cleaning a multi-tool that had two knife blades. The state announced Monday afternoon that it . Township officials warn that parking will be limited at the event. 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. The Clarendon County Coroner Bucky Mock stated that SLED is releasing the cause of death for Samantha L. Josephson, 21, of Robbinsville, New Jersey. During the jail hearing, Marci said there are no words to describe "the immense pain" the alleged killer's actions have caused her family and friends. Prosecutors allege that Josephson, a University of South Carolina senior from New Jersey, stepped into the defendants black Chevy Impala outside of a bar on March 29, 2019 thinking the vehicle was her Uber. [emailprotected]. Mr. Rowland left home at about midnight. We're continuing to follow that trial on the death of Samantha Josephson, who prosecutors say mistook Rowland's car for her Uber ride in Five Points. The Tragic Murder Of Samantha Josephson Explained. Her shirt, which was orange, was so soaked with blood that it looked red. Here is the recording of Marci as she spoke at the hearing; the story continues below the video: The Robbinsville family did it as they also planned a funeral that will be held on Wednesday at 12 p.m., with services at Congregation Beth Chaim at 329 Village Rd. The crossed-arms image in this post is the Wakanda Forever salute. The University of South Carolina student from Robbinsville, New Jersey, disappeared. There was also so little blood left in 21-year-old Samantha Josephson's body 20 milliliters (1.3 tablespoons) when a body typically has at least 4 liters (1 gallon) that workers at her . [22][26][20], Rowland was charged with kidnapping, murder, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime. Instead of the seemingly competent white woman who gave the opening statement, a black woman handled the close. But the family was there in Columbia, anyway, and they also attended a vigil at USC later, letting anyone who listened know that they weren't going to let what happened to Samantha happen to anybody else. [48] [49], Josephson was awarded a posthumous political science degree in May 2019 at what would have been her graduation ceremony. She would have graduated in June and planned to attend Drexel University School of Law. 5th Circuit SolicitorByron Gipson slightlyunderestimated the total count in opening statements last Tuesday. Dr. Thomas Beaverdetailed the many injuries the victim sustained, allegedly at the hands ofNathaniel David Rowland, 27. As reported by Insurance Journal, the act requires rideshare service drivers, including Lyft and Uber, to clearly display their license plate numbers on the front of their vehicle so riders can confirm they are getting into the correct vehicle. His Impala jumps a curb to pull into an empty handicapped space next to Josephson. I visualize the blood flowing from her body. He knew the route from the Bird Dog to her home; he had taken it many times himself. The images are of black women, but there are suggestions that Mr. Rowland was interested in white women. They go to The Bird Dog. Samantha Josephson was born in Princeton, but grew up in Robbinsville, New Jersey. In June 2019, New Jersey Gov. It was almost as if the team had decided the case was hopeless, so the black woman might as well get some experience. Prosecutors, for reasons they did not disclose, did not seek the death penalty. On June 5, 2019, the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act was signed into law in South Carolina. Mr. Rowlands trial, which brought to light many details of the murder, began on July 19 and ended on July 27. . [39] The law was signed by Governor Roy Cooper in August 2019. The act creates a new criminal penalty for impersonating a ride-share driver and makes assaulting a ride-share driver a misdemeanor. She attended the University of South Carolina (USC), where she majored in political science.Josephson, who was a senior in college at the time of her death, planned on graduating in 2019, and attending Drexel University School of Law. Beaver suggested that someone moved the victims body after death. Dr. Thomas Beaver, a forensic pathologist, did the autopsy and found that Josephson had 120 stab wounds, mostly on the right side of her body. The body was found around 4 p.m., nearly 16 hours after she disappeared,. Rowland maintained his innocence before being sentenced, with his attorneys pointing out that scientists werent certain his DNA was on the knife. Thats one of those questions Mr. Rowland would have to answer at some point in time.. Samantha, 21, got into Rowland's car after a night out in Columbia's Five Points entertainment district thinking it was an Uber ride that would take her back to her apartment, prosecutors said. Samantha Josephson was separated at some point during the night from her friends in a heavily trafficked area of town. And it was two days after Samantha got into the wrong car allegedly Rowland's vehicle that she mistakenly thought was her Uber ride. The final moments, her bare feet kicking and fighting for her life. Save Thousands And Fall Back In Love With Your Kitchen! "I cannot fathom how someone could randomly select a person, a beautful girl, and steal her life away. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Several key investigators took the stand Thursday in day three of the trial of Nathaniel Rowland. Cell phone towers tracked both Josephsons and Mr. Rowlands phones, which traveled together for 20 minutes before her phone turned off at 2:33 a.m. Rowlands phone was traced to the Rosewood neighborhood of Columbia, where his sister lives. An Uber customer gets a photo of his driver, but Josephsons driver that night was a black man of the same build as the killer. The defense, on the other hand, has suggested other people were involved in killing Josephson. As parents, Mayor Dave Fried and others said, "This is just beyond my comprehension capabilities.". He also stabbed her in the carotid, one of two main arteries that carries blood to the head. Note the black fist. On March 29, University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson was kidnapped and murdered after going to a bar with friends. Tags: power After all these years, why it is that we even bother with DNA testing? she asked. These placards, which are to be placed on the driver and passenger side back windows, must have the driver's name and photo, along with their license plate number. 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. 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). We will probably never know. [51], The Township of Robbinsville built a patio and rock garden, dedicating the landmarks to Josephson.[32]. The murder led to the passage of Samis Law in New Jersey, which enhances protections for drivers and passengers using ride share services. I close my eyes, and I feel what she endured at his hands.. "His actions were senseless vile and unacceptalbe," Marci continued. Samantha Josephson's murder prompted several measures to increase awareness and safety when using rideshare services. Four hours later, authorities received a call from hunters, who found a body in a secluded area nearly 65 miles away from where Josephson was last seen. Additionally, Josephsons DNA was collected from Rowlands fingernails. WYFF4 reports Josephson was reported missing at approximately 1 p.m. by her roommates at The Hub apartment complex, as she never returned home and nobody could reach her by telephone. Beaver, who testified to a 29-year career with 10,000 autopsies, said during direct examination that DNA is not always found under fingernails. "[8][31] Newman also characterized Rowland as being "heartless" and said the case was the "most severe" murder he had seen in court before. She had been dumped not far from the home of the parents of the 27-year-old black man Nathaniel Rowland who would be charged with her murder. In May 2019, legislators in South Carolina passed the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act. Samantha Josephson, a 21-year-old University of South Carolina from Robbinsville, New Jersey who was set to graduate and go to law school, was found dead in March of 2019 in South Carolina +10. The image of Samantha fighting for her life has haunted her parents for the past 28 months. Josephson, a New Jersey native, hopped into Rowland's car after a night out in Columbia's Five Points entertainment district, assuming he would take her back to her apartment, prosecutors said.. Ewing Township, NJ SAMANTHA JOSEPHSON OBITUARY Samantha L. Josephson ROBBINSVILLE Samantha L. Josephson, 21, passed away Friday March 29, 2019. Mr. Rowlands defense had weak closing arguments. Police have not said what was used to cause the wounds. What happened to Samantha Josephson? She earned a full scholarship to Drexel University, as . A Chevy Impala rolls up, and. Following his arrest, authorities reportedly made a number of gruesome discoveries inside the vehicle. An award-winning journalist who has worked forRolling Stone and MTV News, Chris enjoys prog rock, cycling, Marvel movies, IPAs, and roller coasters. They all go to Five Points together. Markings on her face were consistent with being dragged. [45][46] Josephson's death promoted the University of South Carolina to launch a campaign titled "What's My Name" to help students stay safe while using ride-sharing services. However, when they asked the man to step out of the vehicle, he fled on foot. According to the news release, an. Her body was then found in a field[17] in the town of New Zion in Clarendon County by turkey hunters[21] fourteen hours after the kidnapping. 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. 5. . This post, about the need for blacks to support black businesses shows that Mr. Rowland was race conscious. Dr. Beaver found three wounds he considered lethal: Josephsons bloody underwear is shown to the jury. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Trenton, NJ Samantha L. Josephson ROBBINSVILLE Samantha L. Josephson, 21, passed away Friday March 29, 2019. Beaver said he did not know how Josephsons knuckles were injured. The Clarendon County Coroner on Monday released a cause for Josephson of death as "multiple sharp force injuries" for Samantha Josephson following an autopsy. He might have known that ride-share services are popular with students who get so drunk they cant drive. Instead, I went to Colombia to gather her belongings. [2], Josephson, a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, studied abroad in Barcelona and visited Madrid and Paris during her time at USC. . Kathie Foster, superintendent of the Robbinsville School District, released a statement, saying: "Our hearts are heavy with grief and shock as we process the news of the sudden and tragic death of Samantha Josephson.". One of Rowlands strikes went completely through her right hand, as she likely used it to protect herself. The State newspaper reported that Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook told reporters after a Saturday night press conference that a woman was in the car at the time of Rowland's arrest, and she was cooperating with police. ", "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. [24], On June 9, 2020, Nathaniel Rowland was denied bond. His language is often obscure. He has been convicted by the jury.. 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