Man admits guilt in death
AIKEN - Robert F. Atkins shuffled into an Aiken courtroom Wednesday morning, the shackles at his ankles and wrists clanking with every step.

  • State's DNA files expand
  • Judge sets court date; family forced to wait
  • Lead defense attorney withdraws, citing conflict

  • Parents of teenager find support group
  • Man is indicted in teen's slaying
  • Lawyers deny role in teen's death
  • Delivery company faces suit in killing
  • DNA in old crimes might yield suspects
  • Crime labs face DNA backlog
  • Death penalty sought in Carpenter slaying
  • Drifter is extradited to Aiken

  • Newspapers do not harm the right to fair trial
  • Atkins' letter creates tension
  • Atkins asks for family's forgiveness
  • Full text of Robert Atkins' letter
  • Fears of jury prejudice intensify
  • Atkins admits Aiken killing
  • Man charged in Jessica Carpenter slaying
  • Expanded database led to match
  • Charges bring joy, relief to Aiken
  • Parole officials lost track of suspect
  • Police will test DNA to compare with Aiken case

  • Search for a killer
  • Family keeps memory of slain teen-ager alive
  • Slaying prompts DNA tests
  • Teen's killer didn't act alone
  • Tests fail to tie man to killing
  • Judge grants bond to slaying suspect
  • Suspect has other charges
  • Killer is in jail, informant says
  • Police update Carpenter-case sketch

  • Teen slaying case stays open
  • Reward for killer is offered
  • Aiken investigators turn to FBI
  • DNA fails to link suspect
  • Police show sketch of teen wanted for questioning
  • Parents take pride in teen's legacy
  • Man on camera sought
  • Police create profile of teen-ager's killer
  • Dead teen's neighbor grants DNA test
  • Teen's death hits close to home
  • Police seek clues in homicide
  • Community says goodbye to teen
  • Police seek motive for teen killing
  • Obituary: Ms. Jessica Carpenter
  • Investigators seek clues in teen death
  • Friends mourn 17-year-old's death