A St. Landry Parish man who was arrested in 2014 for aggravated rape, is now being charged with first degree murder.

St .Landry Parish Sheriff's Office Spokesman Capt. Clay Higgins said a district judge charged 26-year-old Jamal Scott James with first degree murder in the Sept. 17, 2014 death of 66-year-old Margie Marie Taylor.

James is already in prison for aggravated rape and attempted first degree murder for another crime sheriff's detectives had investigated.

Following Taylor's death, investigators collected DNA and ballistics evidence, but had no suspect.

On May 4, an Opelousas Police Department supervisor acquired a .22-caliber revolver that a citizen had found wrapped in soiled clothes hidden in their used SUV. Ballistics testing determined the hidden weapon was indeed used to kill Taylor. DNA testing of the clothing linked James to the murder.

More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL