BELLINGHAM — A Whatcom County man accused of killing an 18-year-old woman in 1989 is now facing a first-degree rape charge in the case.
The Bellingham Herald reports that the charge was filed Tuesday by Whatcom County prosecuting attorney David McEachran.
The statute of limitations for adults for rape is three years, but McEachran said because Bass was identified through DNA evidence taken from Mandy Stavik’s body, prosecutors had a year from identifying Bass — in December — to file a rape charge.
He pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder after sheriff’s deputies arrested him Dec. 12.
