A New London man charged in a 1998 murder has been served with an arrest warrant for another cold-case murder. Attorney John T. Walkley will defend the man on both murder charges.

Dickie E. Anderson Jr., 40, was charged this week in the 1998 death of a 29-year-old Norwich woman. In June, Anderson was arrested for the 1997 murder of a 41-year-old Waterford woman. Anderson was served with the new arrest warrant when he appeared in court earlier this week.

In both cases, the women had been working as prostitutes and were strangled to death. Both women had histories of drug abuse and prostitution. Anderson admits that he knew both women, and informed police that he was with the Waterford woman on the night she disappeared in 1997.

Although scientists with the state police forensic science laboratory matched Anderson's DNA to evidence recovered in the 1997 murder, Anderson's attorney, John T. Walkley, said the state's case seems to be relying heavily on statements provided by other prison inmates.

John T. Walkley stated, "In the end, I don't think it's going to be a DNA case. I think it's going to come down to the veracity of jailhouse snitches. Certainly Dickie denies both these crimes. These jailhouse informants hope they have a lot to gain. They're willing to say anything to get out."

The arrest warrants for both murders will remain sealed through September 14. Anderson has not yet entered a plea, as he is deciding whether to have the state present its evidence against him at a probable cause hearing. A probable cause hearing must be made available to defendants in murder cases within 60 days of their arrest. However, Anderson has waived the 60-day time period for both of the charges.

Anderson is due back in court on September 28.

Source: Norwich Bulletin "Suspect charged in slaying of Norwich woman" 9/2/10