Convicted murderer of Norwich teen in 1974, arrested for attack on disabled woman
NORWICH – City of Norwich Police said at about 9:41 a.m. Wednesday morning, a local business called to inform them a woman had sought refuge at the store, asking for help and saying she had just escaped a sex attack.
Later on Wednesday afternoon at about 1:35 p.m. police arrested Stephen Dale Pierce, 66, of Birdsall Street, Norwich, and charged him in relation to the case.
He is charged with second degree kidnapping and first degree attempted rape, both felonies. He was also charged with endangering the welfare of an incompetent person, third degree assault, and forcible touching, misdemeanors.
Previously, Pierce had served nearly 39 years in state prison for the 1974 murder of 16-year-old Wendy Cooper.
Officers responded Wednesday and transported the victim to the Chenango Memorial Hospital's emergency room for treatment for minor injuries.
Following an investigation police said the victim reported being targeted by someone she knew and driven to multiple locations against her will where the attacks took place.
“It was reported that the victim had initially entered the suspect’s vehicle while on Birdsall Street. The suspect drove the victim to a parking lot in the City of Norwich, where he proceeded to assault the victim. The suspect refused to allow the victim to exit the vehicle, then drove to a second parking lot in the City of Norwich. While in the second parking lot, the victim was able to escape and ran to the local business,” said City of Norwich Police Chief Rodney Marsh.
“The victim and Mr. Pierce were acquaintances and were familiar with each other,” said Marsh. “The Officers and Detective Sgt. did an excellent job of taking Mr. Pierce into custody in such a short time.” Pierce is currently being held in City Lockup, pending arraignment in Norwich City Court.
Pierce was previously convicted in Chenango County Court of murder and first-degree manslaughter in relation to a 1974 murder. He was sentenced to 25 years to life.
According to court records, in June of 1974, the then 19-year-old Pierce offered a ride to a teenager, who was on her way home to Plymouth Street.
Court documents alleged, Pierce had taken Cooper to a secluded location and removed her clothing during a scuffle.
According to investigators at the time, as Pierce removed the victim's clothing she began to scream and attempted to get away, causing him to beat her to death with a rock. The cause of Cooper’s death was determined to be a blow to the head by a blunt object.
Following a three month long missing persons investigation, conducted by the Norwich Police Department, Cooper’s unclothed and badly decomposed body was discovered near a shale pit in the Town of Plymouth a few miles outside of Norwich.
Following a trial he was convicted in 1975 and released in July 2013 by a NY parole board over the objections of family members.
Later on Wednesday afternoon at about 1:35 p.m. police arrested Stephen Dale Pierce, 66, of Birdsall Street, Norwich, and charged him in relation to the case.
He is charged with second degree kidnapping and first degree attempted rape, both felonies. He was also charged with endangering the welfare of an incompetent person, third degree assault, and forcible touching, misdemeanors.
Previously, Pierce had served nearly 39 years in state prison for the 1974 murder of 16-year-old Wendy Cooper.
Officers responded Wednesday and transported the victim to the Chenango Memorial Hospital's emergency room for treatment for minor injuries.
Following an investigation police said the victim reported being targeted by someone she knew and driven to multiple locations against her will where the attacks took place.
“It was reported that the victim had initially entered the suspect’s vehicle while on Birdsall Street. The suspect drove the victim to a parking lot in the City of Norwich, where he proceeded to assault the victim. The suspect refused to allow the victim to exit the vehicle, then drove to a second parking lot in the City of Norwich. While in the second parking lot, the victim was able to escape and ran to the local business,” said City of Norwich Police Chief Rodney Marsh.
“The victim and Mr. Pierce were acquaintances and were familiar with each other,” said Marsh. “The Officers and Detective Sgt. did an excellent job of taking Mr. Pierce into custody in such a short time.” Pierce is currently being held in City Lockup, pending arraignment in Norwich City Court.
Pierce was previously convicted in Chenango County Court of murder and first-degree manslaughter in relation to a 1974 murder. He was sentenced to 25 years to life.
According to court records, in June of 1974, the then 19-year-old Pierce offered a ride to a teenager, who was on her way home to Plymouth Street.
Court documents alleged, Pierce had taken Cooper to a secluded location and removed her clothing during a scuffle.
According to investigators at the time, as Pierce removed the victim's clothing she began to scream and attempted to get away, causing him to beat her to death with a rock. The cause of Cooper’s death was determined to be a blow to the head by a blunt object.
Following a three month long missing persons investigation, conducted by the Norwich Police Department, Cooper’s unclothed and badly decomposed body was discovered near a shale pit in the Town of Plymouth a few miles outside of Norwich.
Following a trial he was convicted in 1975 and released in July 2013 by a NY parole board over the objections of family members.
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