Man Convicted in 1990 Durham Sexual Assault
NEWS RELEASE
April 2, 2024
For immediate release
Man Convicted in 1990 Sexual Assault in Durham
DURHAM, NC — Nearly 34 years later, a man has been convicted in a 1990 sexual assault, Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry announced.
Samuel Harris (23CRS848) pleaded guilty in Durham County Superior Court on Tuesday to two counts of second-degree rape and three counts of second-degree sexual offense.
The case was charged and prosecuted as part of Durham’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI). It is the oldest offense the Durham DA’s Office has handled through this initiative.
“Today’s convictions provide accountability more than three decades after this horrible assault occurred,” said DA Deberry. “While it does not change what happened, I hope this resolution brings some closure to the survivor in this case — and sends a message to all survivors in our community that the Durham DA’s Office is here for you no matter how long ago an assault occurred.”
The offenses occurred on August 1, 1990. Assistant District Attorney Angela Garcia-Lamarca, who prosecuted the case, stated in court that the victim left a baseball game and walked to her car in a parking lot near the intersection of Morris and West Corporation streets. When she got in the car, an unknown man with a knife got in the car with her. He then forced her to drive to several locations around Durham, where he sexually assaulted her multiple times. He fled after the victim feigned a medical emergency.
A sexual assault evidence kit was completed at the time and submitted for DNA testing in 2021 as part of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. A CODIS hit identifying Harris was returned in April 2023 and he was charged in June 2023.
Harris, now 57, was sentenced Tuesday to two consecutive terms of 15 years in prison under the Fair Sentencing Act. Superior Court Judge Josephine Kerr Davis presided.
“This resolution would not have been possible without the tremendous courage and resolve of the survivor in this case. We thank her for her cooperation after all these years,” said ADA Garcia-Lamarca. “The Durham DA’s Office will continue working to get justice through the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.”
Since 2019, the Durham DA’s Office has worked with law enforcement agencies as they have sent previously untested sexual assault evidence kits, also known as inventory kits, for DNA testing as part of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. In addition to Harris, the Durham DA’s Office has obtained convictions against nine SAKI defendants — some repeat offenders — in 12 sexual assaults.
Testing has been completed for the vast majority of inventory kits in the possession of Durham County law enforcement agencies. In 2023, the Durham DA’s Office was awarded a $1.15 million SAKI grant to prosecute cases charged as a result of these tests and assist survivors during the court process. Awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice Programs (OJP) through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the three-year grant funds a full-time prosecutor dedicated to SAKI cases, which the Durham DA’s Office had from 2020 to 2023. In addition, it adds a new, full-time SAKI legal assistant position as well as funding for specialized DNA testing as needed, training and consulting, expert witness compensation, and survivors’ food, lodging and travel costs during trial.
The Durham County District Attorney’s Office is dedicated to the fair and equitable pursuit of justice, representing the State in all criminal charges filed in Durham County. Led by District Attorney Satana Deberry, the Durham DA’s Office serves crime victims and the community by prioritizing safety, accountability and healing. Find more information about the role of the district attorney on the Durham DA’s Office Medium page.
