This case study will outline the investigation and prosecution of Roderick Wayne Nelson, Jr., who is currently serving a life sentence in the Texas Department of Corrections for the offenses he committed during a three-year sex crime spree. At the time of his trial, Mr. Nelson faced charges of human trafficking, indecency with a child, continuous sexual abuse of a child, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated robbery, evading arrest, and harboring a runaway. The presentation will detail the multidisciplinary approach taken by investigators from five different law enforcement agencies to uncover the extent of Nelson’s crimes and apprehend him. It will also discuss prosecution strategy in deciding which cases to present at trial, as well as challenges and opportunities for evidence presentation in cases involving multiple victims, who share nothing in common aside from their victimhood.
Learning Objectives:
Facilitate multidisciplinary and multi-agency cooperation to recognize an ongoing crime spree and identify a common offender.
Decide how and when to present evidence of extraneous offenses at trial.
Identify challenges and opportunities for evidence presentation at trial in cases with multiple victims who exhibit different responses to trauma.
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