Investigators testify in serial rapist trial

Investigators testify in serial rapist trial

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CALHOUN COUNTY, AL (WBRC) -

Crime scene investigators describing their evidence cap the first week of testimony in the trial of a man accused of being Anniston's "Eastside Rapist."

Ularius Johnson is charged with a 27 count indictment that includes rape, sodomy, burglary, robbery, and assault. His alleged victims testified all day Tuesday and Wednesday, often breaking up as they described their ordeals.

Anniston police crime scene investigators Travis Bentley and Mark Osborn took the stand Friday, describing items like towels, clothing, towels and washcloths, drink bottles and pitchers, all taken into evidence. He also described a number of DNA swabs taken from various places as well, including a bathroom sink.

Johnson is accused of a number of incidents in which women were kidnapped and taken to ATMs to withdraw money. In some cases the assailant raped the victims—six testified to sexual assault—and in one a woman was shot in the finger during a struggle with a gun. All of the women described similarities, including the assailant wearing a mask and a pair of gloves, and a number of them testified they were able to identify him in court due to his eyes and the bone structure of his neck and chest.

The case is expected to continue Tuesday, after a President's Day holiday Monday.

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