Timothy Williams sentenced for 1984 murder of Rochester girl

Timothy Williams, the first person in the state to go on trial with an arrest that relied on what is called "familial DNA," was sentenced Wednesday in the 1984 rape and murder of 14-year-old Wendy Jerome. New York State Supreme Court Justice Alex Renzi sentenced Williams, 60, to to 25 years to life in the New York State Department of Corrections. A jury found him guilty last month of three counts of second-degree murder.

Wendy's case went cold for a number of years, and prosecutors have said solving her murder case happened due to the evolution of DNA technology. Testing was done on her clothes, a vaginal smear and the crime scene, leading to the 2020 arrest of Williams nearly 36 years after Wendy's body was found in an alcove of Schools 33 and 11 near Webster Avenue.

She had left a friend's home the evening of Thanksgiving 1984 but never reached home.

“After 40 years of uncertainty, grieving, and longing for justice, I am relieved that the family of Wendy Jerome can finally mourn her knowing that her murderer is serving a life sentence,” District Attorney Sandra Doorley said in a release. “Timothy Williams will finally face the despicable actions he perpetrated against this 14-year-old girl.

"Wendy’s opportunity to grow up and live her life was stripped from her in the most unimaginable way possible."

Thanking Rochester police investigators, she called Wednesday's maximum sentence "the only appropriate action" and said that "after all of these years, Timothy Williams did not get away with murder.”

The state's highest court, the Court of Appeals, last year allowed the use of the DNA technology in a narrow ruling, which played into the prosecution of Williams.

Police arrested him after the state conducted a familial DNA search on evidence from the homicide. The state crime lab used the preserved DNA to see if it could develop a familial profile, which allows police to narrow a list of possible suspects.

That process led to Williams as a possible suspect from a genetic family tree. Police were able to surreptitiously collect a DNA sample from Williams in Florida, and the sample was a match, according to testimony.

During the trial, Williams took the stand, saying that he had consensual sex with Jerome and did not hurt her, as reported by WHAM-TV (Channel 13). He said he was fearful he would be charged with rape if he told police of the sex.

Doorley has countered the claims, responding that they make no sense and saying that Jerome was clearly brutally beaten.

Jerome's skull was fractured by what former medical examiners have said was a blow with significant force.

Williams first went on trial for the homicide late last year, but a mistrial was declared after allegations that jurors were speaking during the proceedings about the case.

Assistant District Attorney Lisa Gray said she was proud to be part of the prosecution team.

“Today’s sentence was a much-needed resolution for the loved ones of Wendy Jerome,” she said. “I am so proud that I was able to assist in the prosecution of Timothy Williams and give Wendy her day in court.

"Nearly 40 years ago, Timothy Williams committed heinous and terrible acts that resulted in Wendy’s violent murder before continuing to live his life for 36 years, a privilege Wendy did not have. Wendy’s family may never feel closure because their loved one is never coming back, but it is my hope that they feel justice.”

Marlene Jerome was embraced by family and friends in the hallway after last month's verdict was read.

"Will it ever be over for me? No," she then said. "But this door's closed."

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Timothy Williams sentenced in murder of Wendy Jerome in Rochester NY