ICYMI: Douglas County Man Arrested For Murder in 1998 Cold Case

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — A Douglas County man has been arrested and charged with murder in the case of a shooting from 1998.

Charles Richard Kilpatrick was placed under arrest without incident Friday by Douglas County Sheriff's Office investigators.

The victim in the case, Joseph Henry Wilder, 46, was shot multiple times in his vehicle on Interstate 20 in Lithia Springs.

He was found in his SUV on the side of the highway near the weigh station on August 7, 1998.

The shooter fled the scene, the sheriff's office said in a news release, but witnesses were able to give a basic description of a suspect and his vehicle, a dark colored pickup truck.

Investigators worked the case for some time, but eventually it went cold.

The case was re-opened last year when investigators received new information about possible suspects. Over the past year, Douglas County deputies followed up on leads, developing new information and locating witnesses, the sheriff's office says.

That led to Kilpatrick becoming the main suspect.

"After more than a year of follow up work after re-opening the case in 2015, investigators were able to obtain enough supporting information, evidence and statements both old and new that led to warrants being taken for Kilpatrick," the news release reads.

Kilpatrick was taken into custody without incident on Friday and transported to the sheriff’s office, where he was booked and charged with Felony Murder and Aggravated Assault.

Kilpatrick appeared before Superior Court Judge David Emerson on Monday and was denied bond.

Image via Shutterstock