Suspect in killing of former USC student Samantha Josephson denied bond
A Richland County judge determined that the man accused of killing a former University of South Carolina student should stay in jail to await trial.
Nathaniel Rowland was denied bond Tuesday during a virtual hearing, according to Solicitor Byron Gipson.
Rowland is charged with murder in connection to the death of 21-year-old Samantha Josephson.
Josephson went missing March 29, 2019. She was last seen by friends after a night out in Five Points.
Surveillance footage showed her getting in a car, which police later said she believed was her Uber driver. Her body was found the next day in a rural area of Clarendon County about 65 miles from Columbia.
Columbia Police Department arrested and charged Rowland on March 30 after an officer spotted his car and pulled him over near Five Points.
Josephson’s parents attended the virtual hearing, pleading for Rowland to remain in jail.
Rowland’s family and other supporters also attended, saying they don’t believe he is the person who killed Josephson and that he is not a flight risk and should be let out of jail.
The denial of bond means Rowland will stay in Richland County jail until further court proceedings. Rowland can ask for bond later under certain circumstances.
This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 11:36 AM.