The victim, whose identity has remained protected, was unable to recognize her attacker that fateful night. Despite the collection of a sexual assault kit by law enforcement, the lack of significant leads allowed the attacker's identity to elude authorities, causing the case to go cold.
The establishment of the Virginia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) in 2016, funded partly through the state attorney general's office, renewed hope for many unresolved cases. The initiative specifically targeted the substantial backlog of untested rape kits.
In July 2022, the program facilitated the retesting of DNA evidence originally collected in the assault case from 1992. By November, investigators identified a match that pointed conclusively to Gay as the perpetrator.
The discovery was a culmination of years of perseverance by law enforcement and advocates for sexual assault survivors, finally bringing scientific advancements to bear on unresolved crimes.
The turnout of events led to Gay's trial before a jury, which reached a verdict in less than two hours after concluding deliberations last Wednesday; they found him guilty of rape and armed burglary.
Gay's defense contested the prosecution's claims by suggesting the sexual encounter was consensual. However, the victim testified that she had never known Gay, undermining the defense's position.
Facing the consequences of his actions from decades prior, Gay now awaits sentencing scheduled for December 20.
Virginia's Attorney General Jason Miyares highlighted the conviction as a testament to the dedication of state and local agencies in ensuring justice is served. He stated, "Today's verdict brings much-needed solace and closure in this cold case, underscoring the unrelenting commitment of state and local law enforcement to secure justice, no matter how much time has passed."
Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi praised the successful application of the SAKI program in this case, noting, "Norfolk leads Virginia with the first SAKI jury to go forward in the Commonwealth. Thank you to former Attorney General Mark Herring and Attorney General Jason Miyares for devoting resources to test back evidence cases in cases like these."
Fatehi earnestly conveyed the long-awaited relief for the victim and her family, "The wheels of justice may move slowly, but they never stop, and we have served justice today,” he added.
Despite the guilty verdict, some of Gay's relatives continue to declare his innocence and stand by him. They've described him as a dependable and virtuous person in his community roles. "He’s a very, very good person. Good father. Good friend. Good worker. Good uncle. Good brother," a family member voiced to WVEC-TV.
The case also serves as an important reminder about the legal process in Virginia. Fatehi stated, "the statute of limitations on a felony in Virginia is forever," meaning that authorities can file criminal charges at any time if evidence surfaces, even decades later.
As the community and the victim's family process this late but significant development in the case, the SAKI's role in delivering justice could influence how officials approach cold cases in the future across the state and possibly the nation.
