TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - A man already in an Ohio prison for another murder has been indicted on charges he killed 20-year-old Rebecca Gerst in Toledo back in 1976.
Gerst was found murdered in the 2200 block of Parkwood Avenue in central Toledo on February 4, 1976. Police say a witness heard a disturbance in Gerst's apartment that evening, then heard someone running down the stairs. The next morning Gerst was found dead with a laceration to her neck.
Martin Woods, 58, was indicted for the murder of Gerst on Tuesday. Woods is currently lodged in the North Central Correctional Facility in Marion, Ohio charged with a murder which occurred in 1989.
Chief Lucas County Criminal Prosecutor Jeff Lingo says Woods was a known acquaintance of the victim, but that there was not enough evidence to charge him at the time of the murder.
Officials say the work of a cold case task force and new scientific techniques cracked the case.
"Because of advances in science, we were able to review the evidence seized from 1976. And with the results of that review of evidence, we were able to take this to a grand jury," said Lingo.
Neighbors say they're glad to hear about the indictment, even if they do not remember the crime.
"I think it's absolutely wonderful. Just keep at it guys. We've got a good police department. They do a good job. I'm very, very pleased with them," said Doug Johnson, who lives near the home.
