Texas
Truck driver from Texas charged in 1993 California killing
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A retired truck driver from Texas has been charged with killing a lady whose physique was discovered alongside a freeway onramp in a Southern California desert practically 30 years in the past, prosecutors mentioned.
Chilly-case investigators used advances in DNA expertise to hyperlink Douglas Thomas to the 1993 killing of Sherri Herrera, the Riverside County District Legal professional’s Workplace mentioned in an announcement.
Thomas is in custody in Titus County, Texas, awaiting trial for separate slaying in that state in 1992.
The 67-year-old was charged with Herrera’s homicide on Friday in Riverside, California, the DA’s assertion mentioned. The homicide depend was filed with a particular circumstance allegation that the killing occurred through the fee of a rape, prosecutors mentioned.
It wasn’t identified Sunday if Thomas has an legal professional.
When the Texas case concludes, he can be extradited to California to be tried in Herrera’s killing.
Herrera, a 30-year-old mom of 4 from Tulare, California, was discovered lifeless on March 30, 1993 on an eastbound onramp to Interstate 10 close to Desert Heart in Riverside County.
DNA from the Texas slaying related Thomas to Herrera’s killing, investigators mentioned.
Thomas traveled extensively all through the U.S. throughout a 40-year profession as a trucker, in accordance with officers.