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New charge filed in murder case of USC student Samantha Josephson

Authorities add weapons charge against Nathaniel Rowland

COLUMBIA, S.C. — New charges have been filed against the man accused of kidnapping and murdering 21-year-old USC student Samantha Josephson.

An indictment handed down on April 16 by a Richland County Grand Jury charges 24-year-old Nathaniel David Rowland with possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Specifically, the indictment reads:

"That Nathaniel David Rowland did in Richland County, on or about March 29, 2019, posses or visibly display a knife, during the commission or attempted commission of a violent crime, to wit: Murder and/or Kidnapping."

RELATED: Samantha Josephson killing: what we now know about the USC student's death

Josephson had been out with friends in Five Points and got separated from her group. The USC student had called a ride-share service on her phone to take her back to The Hub on Main Street.

Credit: Facebook
Samantha Josephson

Her roommates called the police after they became concerned about being unable to reach Josephson.

RELATED: She should be walking at graduation. Instead, slain USC student will receive posthumous degree

Law enforcement officers began their investigation early Friday morning and received a call later that afternoon from the Clarendon County Sheriff's Office stating turkey hunters had found a woman's body in a wooded area off a dirt road.

Surveillance video from Five Points showed Josephson mistakenly getting into Rowland's black Chevy Impala thinking it was her Uber ride.

RELATED: USC student Samantha Josephson's cause of death released

Rowland was arrested around 3 a.m. Saturday morning near Five Points after a K9 officer found a black Impala in the area. His partner pulled over the car but Rowland got out and ran.

Officers arrested Rowland and Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said that Josephson's blood was found in the vehicle, along with her cell phone, and wipes and bleach.

Child-proof locks on the back doors of the car would have prevented anyone from getting out of the back seat.

RELATED: 'It's horrifying': Former neighbor shocked by arrest of suspect in USC student's killing

Rowland waived his right to appear at a court hearing Sunday afternoon at the Richland County jail, which is his legal right. During the proceeding, the judge said his bond would have to be set by a circuit court judge, due to South Carolina law.  

RELATED: Suspect in USC student's killing linked to another crime

According to indictments, Rowland was formally charged with kidnapping and murder on April 16. He is being held in the Allen Glenn Detention Center.

His next court appearance is scheduled for May 9.

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