After Almost 15 Years, a Conviction in Dunwoody Assault and Rape Case

Almost a decade and a half after a 24-year-old woman was beaten and raped at her Dunwoody condo, a man is headed to prison for the vicious attack.

The horrific crime was given some closure Friday, when 48-year-old Raoul Lynch, was convicted on charges of rape, aggravated assault, kidnapping with bodily injury and burglary by a Fulton County Jury and immediately sentenced to two consecutive life sentences, plus 60 years in prison.

According to the Fulton County Attorney’s office, the incident occurred on June 6, 1995. The woman was returning home from her night classes when Lynch attacked her as she unlocked her door. She was beaten, choked, bound and blindfolded by Lynch, who then raped the woman for nearly six hours, according to the District Attorney’s office.

He then ripped the phone cord out of the wall, bound her to a bed, and covered her with blankets and stuffed animals. She was eventually able to free herself and call police, according to the release.

Detectives collected DNA evidence but could not generate any leads, according to the district attorney's office.

The case went cold for six years, until, in 2001, using new technology, detectives were able to match the DNA from the crime scene to Lynch, a then convicted felon.

He was finally tracked down in 2007, when he was arrested in New York for identity theft, where he was convicted and sent to prison. In 2008 he was extradited to Georgia to face charges with the 1995 crime.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Christopher Brasher presided over the case.