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Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : 
Justice Prevails as Woman’s 23-Year-Old Rape and Murder Case Finally Sees Conviction
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FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – In a remarkable turn of events, justice appears to have been served for Edna Mae Whitt, a woman who fell victim to a brutal rape and murder while in the process of moving in Atlanta, 23 years ago.
On that fateful day of March 1, 2000, Edna Mae Whitt sought the assistance of four men to relocate from Richardson Street to McDaniel Street, hoping for a fresh start in a new neighborhood.
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Juanita Sturnes, a close friend of Whitt’s who had also volunteered to lend a hand, arrived at Whitt’s new residence the very next day, only to be greeted by the sight of shattered windows and an eerie silence that hung in the air.
The horrific discovery was made as Whitt’s lifeless body lay before them, bearing multiple head injuries, unmistakable signs of sexual assault, a broken wrist, and torn fingernails. The medical examiner’s report revealed that these were clear indications of a fierce struggle. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the skull.
For over a decade, Whitt’s case remained cold, until 2011 when Atlanta Detective Vincent Velazquez employed the use of advanced DNA analysis techniques to eliminate three of the male movers as potential suspects.
It wasn’t until 2014 that the fourth mover, identified as Vernon Spear, was apprehended on firearms charges. As a result of his arrest, his DNA was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), where it unexpectedly matched the DNA collected from the sexual assault kit conducted during Whitt’s autopsy. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation meticulously verified these findings, solidifying Spear’s connection to the crime.
On November 17, 2023, a jury in Fulton County reached a unanimous verdict, finding the now 64-year-old Vernon Spear guilty on all charges, including felony murder and rape. Remarkably, the jury required less than an hour to deliberate.
District Attorney Fani Willis expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “This conviction stands as a testament to the tireless investigation and skilled prosecution that took place, highlighting the vital role that DNA testing plays in solving sexual assault crimes. After enduring the agonizing wait of 23 years, the family of Ms. Edna Mae Whitt can finally discover a semblance of closure.”
Seeking Justice for Edna Mae Whitt
Atlanta, Fulton County – In a case that has spanned over two decades, justice has finally been delivered for Edna Mae Whitt, a woman who tragically fell victim to a heinous crime while in the midst of moving in Atlanta. On that fateful day in March 2000, Whitt enlisted the help of four men to assist her in relocating from Richardson Street to McDaniel Street, hoping for a fresh start in a new neighborhood.
However, this ordinary task turned into a nightmare when Whitt was brutally raped and murdered. The extent of the violence inflicted upon her was evident in the multiple injuries to her head, signs of sexual assault, a broken wrist, and torn fingernails. The medical examiner’s report concluded that such injuries were indicative of a physical altercation, with the cause of death ultimately determined to be blunt force trauma to the skull.
For years, Whitt’s case remained unsolved and cold. It wasn’t until 2011 that a breakthrough occurred when advances in DNA analysis allowed Atlanta Detective Vincent Velazquez to eliminate three of the male movers as potential suspects, breathing new life into the investigation. However, the identity of the fourth mover remained unknown until 2014, when Vernon Spear was arrested on unrelated gun charges.
As part of the routine procedure, Spear’s DNA was added to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a national database used to match DNA profiles. To everyone’s astonishment, Spear’s DNA was a perfect match for the DNA found in the sexual assault kit collected during Whitt’s autopsy. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed the match, solidifying Spear’s connection to the crime and paving the way for justice to be served.
A Conviction After 23 Years
On November 17, 2023, a Fulton County jury delivered a swift and unanimous verdict, finding Vernon Spear guilty on all charges, including rape and felony murder. The jury’s deliberation lasted less than an hour, underscoring the overwhelming evidence against Spear.
District Attorney Fani Willis commended the relentless efforts of the investigators and the skillful prosecution that ultimately led to Spear’s conviction. She emphasized the pivotal role played by DNA testing in solving sexual assault crimes, stating, “This conviction stands as a testament to the tireless investigation and skilled prosecution that took place, highlighting the vital role that DNA testing plays in solving sexual assault crimes. After enduring the agonizing wait of 23 years, the family of Ms. Edna Mae Whitt can finally discover a semblance of closure.”
With Spear’s conviction, justice has finally been served for Edna Mae Whitt, providing a sense of closure for her grieving family and friends. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance, advanced forensic techniques, and the unwavering commitment of law enforcement officials in seeking justice for victims of violent crimes.
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