GUILTY PA - Christy Ann Mirack, 25, E. Lampeter Twp, 21 Dec 1992 *Arrest*

[Seattle1]

Killer nabbed by chewed gum and a water bottle apologizes for murdering a teacher as he heads to prison for life

Jan 9, 2019

Rowe, 50, pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree murder, rape and related counts in Mirack's killing, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office.

Rowe's attorney said her client has admitted he murdered Christy Mirack, the prosecutor reported.

"The person standing beside me has admitted his guilt," Patricia Spotts said.

Rowe's guilty plea includes a sentence of life without the possibility of parole with a consecutive prison term of 60 to 120 years, the district attorney said.

In accepting it, Rowe turned Tuesday to Mirack's relatives, who'd waited more than 26 years for answers in the case.

"I can't imagine what you are going through," the killer said. "I apologize."

Still, Vince Mirack [brother of victim] had one searing question when he addressed Rowe in court, the district attorney reported.

"Why?" he asked. "Why are we sitting here today?"

 

[PastTense]

LANCASTER, Pa. —When elementary school teacher Christy Mirack was found dead in her home in 1992, the tight-knit Pennsylvania community where she lived was left reeling and without answers. Nearly three decades later, her murder was finally solved thanks to DNA evidence and genealogical matching. WGAL reporter Meredith Jorgensen discusses what it was like to have such a legendary cold case come to a close after all these years.

1992 murder of young school teacher finally solved through DNA evidence

An 8 minute video.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

20/20 on OWN had a rerun of their 1 hour program on this case tonight. I just finished watching it and came here to find a thread to learn more. I'll have to swim upstream to see how they knew each other or if that has ever been explained.

 

[Quill]

20/20 on OWN had a rerun of their 1 hour program on this case tonight. I just finished watching it and came here to find a thread to learn more. I'll have to swim upstream to see how they knew each other or if that has ever been explained.

I am pretty sure that it was reported that they did not know each other and if there was any connection I never heard of one. I have also wondered just how she came to be on his radar.

 

[dotr]

November 18, 2019
Sunday night episode of ‘On the Case with Paula Zahn’ will feature the 1992 murder of Christy Mirack in Lancaster County
On the Case with Paula Zahn will examine the cold-case investigation and the Mirack family’s relentless pursuit of justice that led to charges being filed against against Raymond Rowe, who eventually pled guilty to her murder.

The show will air at 10 p.m. on Investigation Discovery.

A synopsis of the episode provided by Investigation Discovery appears below:

On this episode of ON THE CASE: On Monday, December 21, 1992, it was just after 9:15 am when Lancaster County police received a frantic 911 call. It was the principal of the local elementary school on the line. He said he had just made a terrifying discovery in the home of one of his teachers. The lifeless body of 25-year-old Christy Mirack was sprawled out naked on the floor. When investigators arrived, they confirmed her principal’s worst fears, Christy had been the victim of a violent sexually motivated attack. Strewn throughout the foyer and living room, investigators found over twenty neatly wrapped Christmas presents. They were gifts from the young teacher for her class."

 

[jaejae]

Here is report about the Detectives who solved this case receiving awards for their work on it:

NEWS POST: F.O.P. Honors Prosecutor, Two Detectives for Investigation of Christy Mirack’s

 

[jaejae]

Here is a recent report about this case:

In 2018, Lancaster County was shocked to learn DJ Freez was likely Christy Mirack's killer [historic front page]

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Rowe, better known as "DJ Freez" took to the stand in Lancaster County Court on Thursday to oppose his original guilty plea and request a new trial and more evidence tested for DNA.

According to officials, the evidence includes the kitchen cutting board Mirack was beaten with, a nearby toaster and the sixth-grade teacher's sweater.

Rowe is now testifying he had a sexual relationship with the Mirack after they met at the Chameleon Club in Downtown Lancaster. The 52-year-old admits to having sex with Mirack on the day she was killed but claims someone else killed her later that day.
Raymond 'DJ Freez' Rowe attempts to withdraw guilty plea to the rape, murder of Christy Mirack in 1992

 

[Quill]

Rowe, better known as "DJ Freez" took to the stand in Lancaster County Court on Thursday to oppose his original guilty plea and request a new trial and more evidence tested for DNA.

According to officials, the evidence includes the kitchen cutting board Mirack was beaten with, a nearby toaster and the sixth-grade teacher's sweater.

Rowe is now testifying he had a sexual relationship with the Mirack after they met at the Chameleon Club in Downtown Lancaster. The 52-year-old admits to having sex with Mirack on the day she was killed but claims someone else killed her later that day.
Raymond 'DJ Freez' Rowe attempts to withdraw guilty plea to the rape, murder of Christy Mirack in 1992

That dirty piece of *&%! I am enraged at this.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Central Pa. disc jockey who pleaded guilty to raping, killing teacher after DNA match now says he’s innocent

 

[Niner]

Thursday, Sept. 2nd:
*Post Conviction Collateral Relief Hearing (@ 9am ET) – PA – Christy Ann Mirack (25) (Dec. 21, 1992, E. Lampeter Township) – Raymond Charles Rowe aka “DJ Freez” (24 @ time of crime/49/now 51) arrested (6/25/18) & charged (6/26/18) with 1 count of murder & charged (7/20/18) & arraigned (8/24/18) with 3 counts of rape, 2 counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse & 1 count of burglary. No bail. DA will seek DP (8/6/18).
Used GEDMatch identification from DNA.
Pretrial from 7/9 was continued to 7/26; which he waived on 7/24/18.
7/20/18 Update: DA files 6 more felony charges: 3 counts of rape, 2 counts involuntary deviate sexual intercourse & 1 count of burglary.
7/24/18 Update: Waives his right to a prelim trial (7/26/18), formal arraignment where he will enter a plea will be heard on August 24th.
8/24/18 Update: Next Status hearing on 9/28.
9/21/18 Update: Trial will start 5/7/19 with jury selection. 1/8/19 Update: Rowe pleaded guilty Tuesday to raping and strangling Christy. He was sentenced to life without parole.
9/2/21 Update: Rowe wants to change his guilty plea to not guilty. Requests new trial. 9/1/21 Update: Rowe took to the stand in Lancaster County Court on Thursday to oppose his original guilty plea & request a new trial & more evidence tested for DNA. Rowe is now testifying he had a sexual relationship with the Mirack after they met at the Chameleon Club in Downtown Lancaster. The 52-year-old admits to having sex with Mirack on the day she was killed but claims someone else killed her later that day. Today, prosecutors asked Rowe if he had lied when he pleaded guilty in January of 2019, Rowe said 'yes.' He told Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker his previous attorneys did not represent him well. Rowe now has a new lawyer from Philadelphia and is due back in court Thursday, Sept. 2. He is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for Christy Mirack's murder. And on 9/8/21 @ 1:30pm.

 

[Niner]

and another hearing coming up:

Case 9/2/2021 9 AM-12 PM Comm. v. Rowe, Raymond Charles CP-36-CR-0004108-2018 Post Conviction Collateral Relief Hearing Courtroom 8 Judge Dennis E Reinaker
District Attorney
Andrew James Gonzalez
Defendant Attorney
Todd Michael Mosser

Case 9/8/2021 1:30 PM-5 PM Comm. v. Rowe, Raymond Charles CP-36-CR-0004108-2018 Post Conviction Collateral Relief Hearing Courtroom 8 Judge Dennis E Reinaker
District Attorney
Andrew James Gonzalez
Defendant Attorney
Todd Michael Mosser

link: Court Admin - Search

 

[Niner]

Wed., Sept. 8th:
*Post Conviction Collateral Relief Hearing (Day 2) (@ 1:30pm ET) – PA – Christy Ann Mirack (25) (Dec. 21, 1992, E. Lampeter Township) – Raymond Charles Rowe aka “DJ Freez” (24 @ time of crime/49/now 51) arrested (6/25/18) & charged (6/26/18) with 1 count of murder & charged (7/20/18) & arraigned (8/24/18) with 3 counts of rape, 2 counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse & 1 count of burglary. No bail. DA will seek DP (8/6/18).
Used GEDMatch identification from DNA.
Plead guilty on 1/8/19 & was sentenced to life without parole.
Court info from 7/9/18 thru 1/8/19 reference post #72 here:
GUILTY - PA - Christy Ann Mirack, 25, E. Lampeter Twp, 21 Dec 1992 *Arrest*
9/1/21 Update: Rowe wants to change his guilty plea to not guilty. Requests new trial. 9/1/21 Update: Rowe took to the stand in Lancaster County Court on Thursday to oppose his original guilty plea & request a new trial & more evidence tested for DNA. Rowe is now testifying he had a sexual relationship with the Mirack after they met at the Chameleon Club in Downtown Lancaster. The 52-year-old admits to having sex with Mirack on the day she was killed but claims someone else killed her later that day. Today, prosecutors asked Rowe if he had lied when he pleaded guilty in January of 2019, Rowe said 'yes.' He told Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker his previous attorneys did not represent him well. Rowe now has a new lawyer from Philadelphia and is due back in court Thursday, Sept. 2. He is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for Christy Mirack's murder. And a post conviction collateral relief hearing on 9/8/21.
9/2/21 Update: No info available yet. Next post conviction collateral relief hearing on 9/8/21.

 

[Legally Bland]

LANCASTER COUNTY — Raymond Rowe, also known as DJ Freez, was back in court Wednesday as key witness testimony came to the forefront surrounding the death of 25-year-old Christy Mirack.

...

The key witness in court was Michael Biondi, who is with the Pennsylvania State Police Forensic DNA Division. He says officials did not test all items within the murder scene because they found strong enough body fluid samples that only had up to two contributors: Rowe and Mirack. Biondi adds, “It’s unreasonable to suspect that DNA came from a random person.”

...

The defense has 30 days to submit a memo of its position. The Commonwealth will have 30 days to respond and the defense will have an additional 10 days to respond to that.


Raymond Rowe aka 'DJ Freez' back in court as key witness testimony comes to forefront

 

[JerseyGirl]

'DJ Freez' takes witness stand as he tries to get new trial

 

[Niner]

Just wondering if there were any updates for a court hearing for this case? I do understand that the Commonwealth has 30 days (about 10/8) to respond & the defense another 10 days to respond to them (about 10/18).

TIA if anyone can find something!

 

[Niner]

Just bumping up - wondering if anything is happening in the case?

TIA!

 

[Slawsb]

Just bumping up - wondering if anything is happening in the case?

TIA!

He's scum

 

[Jbetty567]

Th

Just bumping up - wondering if anything is happening in the case?

TIA!

The answer is yes - Rowe’s petition for post-conviction relief denied.


Post-conviction petition denied for Christy Mirack killer

 

[dotr]

April 19 2023 Author: Keith Schweigert

Superior Court denies bid for further DNA evidence testing by man serving life for 1992 murder of Christy Mirack

The Superior Court affirmed a Lancaster County judge's denial of Rowe's petition to have additional DNA testing on evidence collected at the crime scene.

www.fox43.com

''Superior Court denies bid for further DNA evidence testing by man serving life for 1992 murder of Christy Mirack​

The Superior Court affirmed a Lancaster County judge's denial of Rowe's petition to have additional DNA testing on evidence collected at the crime scene''

He filed a petition last year to have five items from the crime scene tested for touch DNA, but that petition was denied by Lancaster County Judge Dennis E. Reinaker in April 2022.
The items Rowe wanted tested, according to the DA's Office, were:

• a cutting board found near Mirack's head
• a toaster that is known to have been on top of the cutting board
• a pair of pants found next to Mirack's body
• Mirack's sweater
• Mirack's undershirt

Reinaker's denial of Rowe's petition, which was filed under the terms of Pennsylvania's Post-Conviction Relief Act (PCRA), was upheld by the State Superior Court.
According to the DA's Office, in order to obtain Post-Conviction DNA testing, a defendant must establish that 1.) the evidence was not tested because the technology was not in existence at the time and counsel did not request testing, 2.) the evidence was subject to the testing, but newer technology could provide substantially more accurate and substantially probative results, or 3.) counsel sought and was denied funds for testing.''