A Riviera Beach homicide case from 1995 has been reopened due to new DNA evidence, leading to the indictment of Willie Rodgers for the murder of Earnestine Mortimore. The grand jury's charge was made possible by advancements in DNA analysis, as WPBF reported.
According to CBS12, at the time of the murder, forensics could only identify blood types, and 30-year-old blood samples were kept. These samples eventually helped identify Rodgers, who was already serving time for an unrelated case. Rodgers had been previously interviewed with another suspect, Don Williamson, who has since died. New DNA evidence and witness statements helped uncover the truth.
Rodgers lived in Mortimore's neighborhood, and investigators suspect the crime may have been a robbery that went wrong. Mortimore, 75 at the time, was found dead in her home with blunt trauma to her face and an unlocked front door, suggesting an intrusion.
Riviera Beach City Manager John Evans emphasized the importance of justice, saying, "There's no price that we would not pay to pursue justice for any family, whether it was 1955, 1995, or 2000," in a statement obtained by CBS12.
The new evidence is a significant achievement for the cold case unit and provides closure for Mortimore's family. Her granddaughter, who was present during the announcement, remembered her grandmother for her generosity and kindness.
