Earl W. Wilson, 55, of Tulsa has been charged with firstdegree murder for a 35-year-old crime in Lincoln County.
While at a rest stop on Turner Turnpike, Paul Aikman was stabbed to death in Sept. 1985.
On the crime scene of the murder, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations collected latent prints and cigarette butts.
Although a DNA profile was created from one of the cigarette butts, the case went cold.
Last year, during a search through CODIS, the national DNA database, that OSBI criminalists uncovered a potential DNA hit that matched Wilson.
The latent print impressions matched Wilson.
“Advances in DNA technology are allowing authorities to take another look at these difficult cases,” Attorney General Mike Hunter said. “Just because cases go cold doesn’t mean someone shouldn’t be held responsible, even after three decades. I appreciate OSBI Director Ricky Adams, who has put a priority on these cases through the development of the Cold Case Unit.”
Wilson is currently serving an active sentence for charges of sexual battery of person over 16 at the North Fork Correctional Center in Sayre, OK.
In the past, Wilson has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, second degree burglary, unlawful possession of paraphernalia and escape from confinement.
“For 35 years, Paul Aikman’s family has ached not knowing who was responsible for his murder,” said OSBI Director Ricky Adams. “35 years have passed, but we have not forgotten about Paul. Thanks to science and determined police work by OSBI agents and our Cold Case Unit, we are pleased to announce that the suspect in Paul’s murder has been identified. I would like to give thanks Attorney General Hunter and his staff for taking this case, filing a murder charge and giving a voice to Paul and his family.”
Attorney General Mike Hunter filed the charges Friday, July 17.