Florida Police Make Arrest In 38-Year-Old Murder Case

LAKELAND, FL — A 58-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a 38-year-old murder case based on fingerprint and DNA evidence, according to the Lakeland Police Department.

Joseph Clinton Mills is facing charges of first-degree murder, sexual battery and burglary with assault and battery.

Police plan to release additional details of the arrest at a news conference on Thursday afternoon.

The victim, 31-year-old Linda Patterson Slaten, was found dead in her apartment on Sept. 4, 1981 in the 300 block of North Brunnell Parkway.

"Her two young sons, age 12 and 15 at the time, were sleeping in their rooms on the night she was murdered," Lakeland police said on Wednesday. "Throughout the years, detectives have continued to investigate the homicide as part of our cold case files. "

Mills was linked to the murder through fingerprints from an unrelated arrest in 1984 and recent DNA samples gathered by detectives.

It was not immediately clear what additional evidence was turned up by police.

"Based upon the evidence in the case, probable cause was established to seek a warrant for the arrest of Joseph Mills," Lakeland police said.