ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A new trial date has been set for Timothy Williams, 59, accused of raping and murdering Wendy Jerome nearly 40 years ago, as reported by 13WHAM. The first trial ended in a mistrial due to jury misconduct, but the pursuit for justice continues. Back in 1984, 14-year-old Wendy Jerome’s body was discovered after she had been brutally raped and murdered near a school in Rochester, New York, on Thanksgiving day.
Wendy had left her home to visit a friend, but she never returned, leaving her family distraught and anxious. After hours of trying to reach the friend’s family, they finally contacted the police, only to receive the devastating news of Wendy’s tragic death. Her family’s relentless pursuit of justice eventually led to a breakthrough in the case in 2020 when a familial DNA hit identified Williams as a suspect, leading to his arrest in Melbourne, Florida.
The first trial in November 2023 was anticipated, but it ended in a mistrial, leaving Wendy’s family devastated. However, the prosecutor and Wendy’s family remain committed to seeking justice. Due to the expiration of the statute of limitations on the rape charge, Williams is now facing three counts of murder in the second degree. The new trial, which is set to begin in February 2024, will see several witnesses returning to testify, and is expected to “start from scratch,” according to District Attorney Sandra Doorley.
With the new trial date set, the pursuit of justice for Wendy Jerome continues, providing hope for her family and closure for a community that has been haunted by this tragic event for nearly four decades.