AUSTIN, TX -- DNA evidence is casting doubt on the arrest of a a man in jail for attempting to sexually assault two women in South Austin.
Charles Wilson, 33, is in Travis County jail. Austin Police Department detectives say that is where he will stay until they review a final DNA report.
A preliminary DNA report found Wilson's DNA was not found on either of the two female victims attacked on July 8. However, the DNA evidence does not rule out one attacker could have made contact with both women.
The first woman was attacked while jogging on South Congress near Milton at 5:35 the morning of July 8. Arrest records say the attacker pulled the woman's shorts off and punched her repeatedly.
A second woman was attacked an hour later that morning on South 1st and Barton Springs. A man ran up behind her as well and tried to pull off her pants.
Police say although DNA evidence does not link Wilson to the crime, other evidence does.
When APD released a composite sketch of the attacker, several people called and identified him as Wilson. The two victims independently identified him as the attacker in photo line-ups.
When Wilson was arrested, he told a police officer, "When a girl tells you to stop having sex with her, you don't have to stop." According to an arrest affidavit, Wilson told a nurse in jail, "I have seen you around Park Place, and if I see you there again, you will be raped and murdered."
"We still have compelling evidence pointing to Wilson; we can't explain this other. Our job is to find the right person," said Lt. Michael Eveleth with APD's Violent Crimes Unit.
A final DNA report is expected next week. APD detectives will meet with the district attorney's office to decide how to move forward on Wilson's attempted sexual assault charge.
