Sarah Jane Wisnosky,17




Facts of Crime: Derek Barnabei was convicted, sentenced, and executed for the capital murder and rape of 17-year-old Old Dominion University freshman Sarah Wisnosky. Wisnosky dated Barnabei and was last seen at the apartment he shared with others. On September 22, 1993, Sarah's nude body was found in the Lafayette River. She had been strangled and suffered 10 blows to the head from what appeared to be a ballpeen hammer. Barnabei fled to Ohio. Stains matching Sarah's blood type were found in Barnabei's room, and DNA evidence showed that semen matching Barnabei's was present in Sarah's body. At the clemency stage, Governor Gilmore ordered further DNA testing of the victim's fingernail scrapings at the urging of Barnabei's lawyers, who claimed innocence. The additional DNA testing showed Barnabei's blood and confirmed guilt.

Victim: Sarah Jane Wisnosky

Manner of execution: Lethal injection

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