Police in NC city turn spotlight on cold case homicides

DURHAM, NC (AP) — Police in a North Carolina city have begun monthly news conferences to raise awareness of the approximately 250 cold cases involving homicides dating back to the 1950s.

The Herald-Sun of Durham reports Durham police have set up a cold case website and a phone number for people to report information.

The first news conference was held Tuesday, when police focused on the murder of Cesar Yanez-Ortiz on Nov. 29, 2016. Yanez-Ortiz was shot just outside his front door as he and his 12-year-old stepson unloaded groceries.

Sgt. J.D. Piatt says Durham averages about three dozen homicides a year. In most cases, police have suspects or good leads, but Piatt says they lack enough information to bring charges.

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Information from: The Herald-Sun, http://www.herald-sun.com

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