Incarcerated Suspect Charged in 1985 Murder Case

December 7, 2006 -- Twenty-one years after a woman was found dead in her apartment at 8800 Broadway, her killer has been identified and charged.

The suspect, Oscar Malone (b/m, DOB 4-23-52), has been charged with capital murder in the 338th State District Court. He was found to be a current inmate in the Texas prison system. Malone is charged in the February 14, 1985 killing of Charlotte Dove, 24.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant E.S. Mehl reported:

Family members went to Ms. Dove's apartment after they were unable to reach her by telephone. One of the family members entered the apartment and found Dove dead in her bed about 11:20 a.m. The cause of death was ruled manual strangulation.

On July 26, 2005, the biological evidence recovered during the autopsy was shipped to a private laboratory for analysis. A DNA profile was developed and was entered into a national database called CODIS (Combined DNA Index System). On May 30, 2006, the computer system identified a match with a known offender, Oscar Malone. Soon after, fresh DNA samples were obtained from Malone and the second round of testing confirmed his DNA profile matched the DNA profile obtained during Ms. Dove's autopsy.

JFC/GO 12-7-06
Inc #009688885

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.