SC v. Nathaniel Rowland Trial Day 1 - Opening Statements - Alleged Murder Of Samantha Josephson
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Published 2021-07-20
Prosecution Opening Statements by Byron Gipson
Defense Opening Statements by Alicia Goode
Nathaniel David Rowland, 27, stands trial for allegedly murdering Samantha Josephson, 21. Court is held in Richland County, South Carolina. You can watch in the player above.
Josephson, a student at the University of South Carolina, got into a vehicle that she believed was her Uber in the early morning of March 29, 2019, according to police. She was found dead in Clarendon County the next day, stabbed more than 30 times.
Rowland was pulled over in his Chevy Impala, and he ran, officials have said. Josephson’s phone and blood were in the car, investigators said. There were also cleaning supplies, with the child locks engaged, according to authorities.
“I can not fathom how someone could randomly select a person, a beautiful girl and steal her life away,” Samantha’s mother Marci Josephson said in a statement to the court in 2019, according to Live 5 News. “His actions were senseless, vile and unacceptable. It sickens us to think that his face was the last thing that my baby girl saw on this earth.”
Samantha’s parents started the #WhatsMyName campaign and is working to pass “Sami’s Law” in South Carolina, which would require ride-share drivers to be clearly identified before passengers enter the vehicle.
Rowland’s family has insisted on his innocence. He was passed out at a house party the night Josephson was abducted, his cousin Trey Elmore told South Carolina newspaper The State in an April 2019 report.
Rowland’s father Henry Rowland shared the second-hand story with WACH around the same time. In this account, Nathaniel Rowland woke up to find his keys were gone, but discovered his vehicle outside. The keys–and blood–were inside. His father said that if this story were true, then it was a mistake not to call 911. It was also a mistake to run during the traffic stop.
#FakeUberMurderTrial #WhatsMyName #NathanielRowland
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All Comments (21)
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This judge was GREAT in the recent Murdaugh Trial , despite his son passing away unexpected at the time the start of the trial . True class , Judge Newman.🌹
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I’m here because of Judge Newman and how amazing he was during the Murdaugh trial. ❤
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Man, this guy is good. He's engaging, measured, confident. I love watching a great opening statement. I'm definitely going to be watching this. Thanks, Law&Crime!
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This prosecutor has a great voice. His opening argument seems very compelling. May justice, whatever that may be, and the full truth be served in this case.
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His family are absolutely in denial about his guilt it’s sad, I never liked to make judgements but come on.... did this really need to go to trial,
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That blue suit the prosecution is wearing is everything. He talks like a boss, looks like a boss, confident like a boss!
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RIP Samantha. From this opening by the Prosecution, I believe you will get justice!
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I’m so glad this Judge popped up in my feed. I absolutely love him.
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The defense attorney is weak...she has no strong statement at all, she is not convincing and she doesn't seem to have any direction...nothing she said indicated her clients innocence.
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This attorney is GREAT. His voice commands attention but not in a bullish way. He is calm yet completely serious. He seems kind and caring great towards his jury. He is respectful and doesn’t treat his jury like morons, he isn’t cynical or dumb things down. I love ❤️ him.
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Good job, prosecutor. I was just reading that SC has the death penalty but cannot get the drugs to administer lethal injections. I also read that death by firing squad has been approved. I thought I did not believe in the death penalty, but Rowland is making me change my mind.
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I love this prosecutor. Organized , eloquent, and easy to listen to.
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My question would be, if he didn’t do it then who did? With all that evidence in his car he should be breaking his neck telling who did this. Go to prison for life for a crime you didn’t commit? Naw……
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The prosecutor has a voice for movies... Great Job Mr Gipson ! Jane from England
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Cameras don't lie
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I love evidence being put before the public and the jury…plea deals hide too much…✌️❤️🌎 we will see what they have 👍
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I love this prosecutor.. the gentleman. So clear and professional.
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A masterpiece of eloquent speech delivered with passion without drama - this guy is an awesome prosecutor
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He’s literally the only one who could’ve killed her, given the evidence and the timeline provided by his girlfriend. He could’ve had an accomplice, but that would only mean another person did it with him. He still did it either way.
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What a wonderful voice he has. So engaging.
