Matthew M. Dowdy

Matthew Marshall "Slim" Dowdy (b. November 21, 1964) is a convicted rapist and murderer.

Dowdy accumulated a long criminal record for burglary, larceny and assault throughout the 1980s and 90s.[1] On June 12, 1985, 20-year-old Dowdy and two other prisoners escaped from the Winchester Jail after overpowering the guards on duty.[2]

Dowdy inserted himself into the Beltway Sniper investigation by claiming to be a witness in the shooting of 47-year-old Linda Franklin in the parking lot of the Home Depot in Falls Church On October 14, 2002.[3] He was arrested when his statement was determined to be false, and eventually sentenced to six months in jail.[4]

On September 23, 2005, Dowdy raped, beat, and fatally stabbed 31-year-old Judy J. Coate in Falls Church. Coate's body was found four days later, on September 27.[5] Dowdy, who had been staying at the Stratford Motor Lodge in the City of Falls Church, was arrested a few days later.[6]

On January 17, 2007, Dowdy was convicted of the rape and murder of Coate.[7] Fairfax Circuit Court Judge Stanley P. Klein sentenced Dowdy to life in prison plus 30 years on May 18, 2007.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Bogus "Beltway Sniper" Witness Busted." The Smoking Gun. TSG Industries, 18 Oct. 2002. Web. 15 Jan. 2017.
  2. ↑ "3 Overpower Guards, Flee from Winchester Jail." The Washington Post (1974-Current file): 1. Jun 13 1985. ProQuest. Web. 15 Jan. 2017.
  3. ↑ "Man Charged for False Information." CNN. Cable News Network, 18 Oct. 2002. Web. 15 Jan. 2017.
  4. ↑ Glod, Maria. "False Sniper Witness is Sentenced to Jail; Man Gets Six Months for Misleading Police After Slaying Outside Fairfax Store." The Washington PostJan 08 2003. ProQuest. Web. 15 Jan. 2017.
  5. ↑ Fehr, Steve. "Falls Church Area Murder Victim Identified as Jamie Coate." Washington Post: Focus on Fairfax. The Washington Post, 28 Sept. 2005. Web. 15 Jan. 2017.
  6. ↑ Jackman, Tom. "Sniper 'Witness' Charged in Death; Man Accused of Stabbing Va. Woman." The Washington PostOct 06 2005. ProQuest. Web. 15 Jan. 2017.
  7. ↑ Jackman, Tom. "2002 Sniper 'Witness' Convicted of Rape, Murder." The Washington PostJan 18 2007. ProQuest. Web. 15 Jan. 2017.
  8. ↑ Jackman, Tom. "VIRGINIA BRIEFING:Fairfax Crime." The Washington PostMay 19 2007. ProQuest. Web. 15 Jan. 2017.