FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
October 26, 2011
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Suzanne Webb (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG ANNOUNCES ANOTHER COLD CASE VICTORY WITH
CONVICTION, SENTENCING FOR 1995 RAPE IN LEE COUNTY
(MONTGOMERY)–Attorney General Luther Strange announced another
significant cold case victory, with the conviction and sentencing of a man for a 1995
rape in Lee County. Kevin Tawan Ross pleaded guilty on October 24 in Lee County
Circuit Court to first-degree rape. He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. Ross,
34, is of Opelika.
The Attorney General?s Office presented information to a grand jury in May of
2011, including newly-available DNA analysis of evidence collected at the time of the
crime. Ross was convicted for the assault of a 51-year old woman on December 9, 1995.
The victim was walking on the sidewalk near her residence about 7:30 p.m. and was
forced into a vehicle, held at gunpoint, and taken to a wooded area where she was
raped.
The conviction announced today resulted from a project within the Attorney
General?s Office, in partnership with the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, to
investigate violent sexual crimes that previously had been closed due to lack of
investigative leads. This program is funded by a grant from the U.S Department of
Justice.
“I am pleased that this case provides another important example of the Attorney
General?s Office working together with other law enforcement agencies to persevere in
achieving justice for victims,” said Attorney General Strange. He praised the
cooperative efforts of the Attorney General?s Violent Crimes Division, the Attorney
General?s Investigations Division-Cold Case Unit, the Alabama Department of Forensic
Sciences, and the Opelika Police Department. Attorney General Luther Strange
commended Assistant Attorneys General James Rutter and Will Dill, Deputy Attorney
General Sonny Reagan, and special agents of the Attorney GeneralÑs Investigations
Division.
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501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36130 (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
