x
Breaking News
More () »

Suspect in murder of USC student will make first court appearance later this month

A first court appearance has now been set for 9 a.m. April 22 at the Richland County Judicial Center

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A court date for the 24-year-old man accused of killing a USC student has been set for later this month.

Nathaniel David Rowland is charged with murder and kidnapping in the death of 21-year-old Samantha Josephson, a senior at the University of South Carolina.

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

Josephson was last seen in Five Points around 2 a.m. March 29 when she got into a car she mistook for her Uber ride. Columbia police say that car belonged to Rowland, who reportedly killed the student and dumped her body in a wooded area about 70 miles away in Clarendon County. 

RELATED: 'The sadness will never end': slain USC student laid to rest

Rowland reportedly returned to Five Points the next morning, where he was arrested by officers.He was set to appear at bond hearing on March 31, but waived his right to be there.

"Shame on him." That's what Samantha's mother Marci Josephson had to say about Rowland's absence. "We'd like him to be here, to see his evil face," she continued.

RELATED: 'Don't ever forget her name': Mother of slain USC student speaks for first time

Marci, along with Samantha's father Seymour Josephson, both spoke at the hearing. They described their daughter as "full of life," saying the suspect has "taken away a piece of our heart, soul, and life."

A first court appearance has now been set for Rowland at 9 a.m. April 22 at the Richland County Judicial Center, where a circuit court judge will determine his bond.

RELATED: Officers search near location where body of USC student found

Samantha's mother has asked the judge to deny bond for the suspect.

"He should never be given the right to walk free again for what he did to my daughter, or given the opportunity to hurt anyone else," she said. "My daughter's name is Samantha Josephson. Don't ever forget her name. Samantha Josephson. Shame on him."

Before You Leave, Check This Out