Serial rapist linked to Charlotte’s cold cases faces life in prison

1995 photo of Bertha (Source: Meck County Sheriff)

CHARLOTTA (NEWS FROM THE QUEEN’S CITY) — A serial rapist linked to multiple cold cases in Charlotte was sentenced to life in prison on Monday, the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.

A jury found 64-year-old LJ Bertha guilty of first-degree rape, second-degree rape, first-degree kidnapping and robbery. Bertha was sentenced to life in prison on Monday, serving consecutive sentences without the possibility of parole.

Court documents say that in October 1993, a woman was parked at a shopping center on Freedom Drive when Bertha kicked the driver’s side window and forced her to move over and let him drive, then sexually assaulted her and threatened that he will kill her.

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Police located the victim nearby and serological tests were later conducted. In 2023, Bertha is confirmed to be a suspect.

Court documents also say that in 1994, a woman was walking on Beatties Ford Road when Bertha approached her and sexually assaulted her while armed with a box cutter. Serological tests were later carried out and in 2023 it was confirmed that Bertha was a suspect.

Both victims and a third victim, who was attacked in 1996, testified in the case. Bertha was previously convicted of assault in 1997 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.