Man charged in 1977 murder, rape in New Bern makes court appearance

NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT)- A man accused of murdering a young mother nearly 35 years ago had his first day in court Friday.  New Bern Police charged 55 year old Andrew Bernard Adams of Wilmington last weekend for the 1977 rape and murder of Gwendolyn Nelson.

Kindell Mitchell waited nearly 35 years to see her mother's accused killer.

"He looks like he's a true demon, somebody that really don't have a care in the world,” she said.

She sat with family and friends as the bailiff brought Andrew Adams in front of the district court judge.  District Attorney Scott Thomas stood beside him and read the charges- one count first degree rape, one count of murder.

"It just broke my heart to actually see him,” said Mitchell.

On June 29, 1977, 17-year-old Gwen Nelson was found dead outside the cafeteria at F.R. Danyus School on West St. In New Bern.

The autopsy showed she died from blunt force trauma to the head.  Police investigated but never had a lead.  The case eventually went cold.

"I did have a grudge against the police department because everybody always told me that they just shut my mama's case down like she was- nothing every happened,” said Mitchell.

New Bern Police re-opened the case in 2006.  After pouring over the evidence, and re-interviewing people from 1977- police developed Adams as a suspect.  The 55 year old registered sex offender had served half his life in jail.  Last week Wilmington Police arrested him for the rape and murder of a woman who investigators say he buried in his backyard.

"We were comfortable at that time to move forward with the prosecution,” said DA Scott Thomas.

Prosecutors say they're ready to go to trial if necessary.  Adams could face life in prison or the death penalty if convicted of killing Gwen Nelson- something her daughter is still waiting for.

"Death penalty, that's what he need,” said Mitchell.  “But I know God got the death penalty for him."

Adams was transported back to the New Hanover County jail after his first appearance in Craven County District Court.  That's where he'll stay behind bars, without bond until his next court date.  His next administrative hearing for the 1977 case is set for February 3^rd.

--- Previous Story ---

NEW BERN, N.C. - The man accused of a murder that happened more than three decades ago appeared in court this morning.

Andrew Adams was charged in connection to a cold case in New Bern.

He’s accused in the 1977 murder and rape of Gwendolyn Nelson.

Adams had his first appearance in Craven County District Court this morning.

A judge told him he is eligible for a court appointed attorney. His next court date is February 3rd.

Adams is also suspected of killing a 24-year-old female in New Hanover County. He also served prison time for raping a teenager in Wilmington in 1978.

9 On Your Side's Andrea Blanford was at today's hearing in New Bern. She'll have the latest on the story on Eyewitness News 9.

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WILMINGTON, N.C. - A man accused of killing and burying a Wilmington woman has been charged in connection to a cold case right here in the east.

The New Bern Sun Journal is reporting this afternoon that Craven County officials have charged 55-year-old Andrew Bernard Adams with the 1977 murder and rape of Gwendolyn Nelson.

Tonight, Adams is in the New Hanover County Jail without bond.

He's suspected of killing a 24-year-old female last week and burying her in his backyard.

Adams has already spent half his life in prison for raping a teenager in Wilmington in 1978.

He was released five years ago.