Bench Trial Begins in 1985 Cold Case Murder
David Nelson Austin faces charges for the kidnapping and death of 17-year-old Leslie McCray in 1985.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Sex Crimes
A bench trial is underway in Jacksonville for David Nelson Austin, who is accused of the 1985 kidnapping and murder of 17-year-old Leslie McCray. Austin, currently serving a life sentence in Michigan for unrelated crimes, was indicted in 2021 after investigators linked him to the case using DNA technology.
Why it matters
The trial represents a resolution to a decades-old mystery that has remained open for 41 years. Prosecutors have indicated they will pursue the death penalty if Austin is convicted of the charges, which include armed kidnapping and armed sexual battery.
The defendant faces two counts of armed kidnapping, one count of armed sexual battery, and a first-degree murder charge. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in this bench trial.
The players
David Nelson Austin
He is a convicted offender currently serving a life sentence in Michigan who has been identified as a suspect in a decades-old cold case.
Leslie McCray
She was a 17-year-old resident of Jacksonville who was abducted and murdered in 1985.
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit
This agency is responsible for investigating unsolved homicides and utilized federal grants to advance DNA testing in this case.
The details
Leslie McCray was abducted from an Avondale apartment on Christmas Eve 1985 and discovered stabbed to death on Old Middleburg Road shortly after. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit utilized a U.S. Justice Department grant to identify Austin as a suspect in April 2020 through advanced forensic analysis.
Timeline
December 24, 1985: Leslie McCray was kidnapped and killed.
1991: David Nelson Austin began a life sentence in Michigan.
April 2020: Investigators developed a lead on Austin.
August 2021: Austin was indicted for murder.
October 21, 2026: The bench trial began in Jacksonville.
Legal Context
This case follows a national trend of cold cases being successfully prosecuted decades later through the application of advanced DNA technology. It mirrors the broader shift in the justice system where historical investigations are regularly revived by institutional grants and forensic innovation.
The commencement of this trial brings closure to a 41-year-old mystery that has long troubled the local Jacksonville community. Residents may follow the proceedings as the court determines the outcome of the serious charges filed against the defendant.
The takeaway
The successful revival of this case highlights how DNA technology can bridge long gaps in criminal investigations. Justice for victims of cold cases remains possible even decades after the original incidents occur.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings involving violent offenses, visit Jacksonville Sex Crimes.
