Unsolved Murder from 1996 Leads to Arrest and Conviction 25 Years Later
In a stunning turn of events, a murder case that had remained unsolved for over two decades has finally reached its conclusion. The Orange County prosecutor’s office has announced that a Florida man, Kenneth Stough Jr., has been convicted of the murder of Terrance Paquett and sentenced to life in prison.
The tragic incident took place in 1996 at the Lil’ Champ mini-mart in Orlando. Terrance Paquett, who was working alone at the time, was brutally stabbed 73 times. The crime had gone unnoticed and unanswered for years, leaving the victim’s family and authorities with no closure.
However, advancements in DNA technology led to a breakthrough in the case, ultimately leading to Stough’s arrest in March of 2021. The crucial evidence that tied him to the crime scene was DNA recovered from beer cans found near Stough’s home in Eustis. The DNA matched the blood found on various surfaces in the store, including the freezer door, lottery machine, and the door leading outside.
Stough, now 56 years old, faced a five-day trial and was found guilty of first-degree murder by a jury. The State Attorney’s office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit confirmed the conviction and Stough’s subsequent life sentence. The public defender’s office, which represented Stough, did not provide an immediate comment on the verdict.
What makes this case even more intriguing is the investigative technique employed. Authorities utilized a genetic genealogy company to test the blood found at the crime scene, eventually establishing a familial connection to Stough’s parents. To solidify their case, law enforcement matched the blood to Stough by examining a bag of empty beer cans he had discarded outside his home.
It is worth noting that this approach, using genealogy websites to solve crimes, has yielded success in other cases as well. Notably, the notorious “Golden State Killer” cases in California were brought to justice using similar tactics. Joseph James DeAngelo, a former police officer, was finally apprehended in 2020 and received a life sentence for his heinous crimes committed decades earlier.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement collaborated with public genealogy databases, such as Family Tree and GEDmatch.com, to compile a data file crucial to the investigation. These databases have proven to be valuable tools for authorities, enabling them to generate leads and solve dormant cases.
The conclusion of this decades-old murder case brings a mix of relief and sadness. Terrance Paquett’s family can now find solace in knowing that justice has been served, though it took far longer than anyone could have anticipated. The conviction of Kenneth Stough Jr. serves as a reminder that the passage of time does not diminish the determination of law enforcement to solve crimes and ensure the safety of their communities.
Originally published on NBCNews.com, this article sheds light on the perseverance and dedication of law enforcement agencies in pursuing justice, even when a case seems hopelessly cold. The story of the arrest and conviction of Kenneth Stough Jr. offers comfort to victims and their families, as well as a stark warning to criminals who believe they can evade punishment indefinitely.
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