Verdict Tossed in 1999 Providence Cold Case After Court Error

Judge orders new trial for man convicted in woman's strangling death behind middle school

Feb. 4, 2026 at 1:55pm

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A judge has ordered a new trial for Kevin Williams, 54, who was recently convicted of second-degree murder in the 1999 strangling death of 41-year-old Kathleen O'Dowd Boleman behind a Providence middle school. The judge cited materials that were mistakenly left in the jury deliberation room, including a box with police reports, grand jury and bail hearing testimony, and other inadmissible documents that the jury used during deliberations.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of ensuring a fair trial and the proper handling of evidence, as the judge determined that the jury's access to inadmissible materials compromised Williams' right to a fair trial. The overturning of the conviction also raises questions about the initial investigation and the length of time it took to charge Williams, who was a suspect early on but not arrested until 2024.

The details

Williams was accused of killing Kathleen O'Dowd Boleman in the spring of 1999 behind Roger Williams Middle School in Providence. He was identified as a suspect during the initial investigation but was not arrested until two years ago due to a lack of sufficient evidence to charge him at the time. A Providence detective later uncovered new information that led to a grand jury indictment charging Williams with murder in April 2024. Williams was found guilty of second-degree murder last month following a more than two-week-long trial, but the judge has now vacated the verdict due to the jury's access to inadmissible materials during deliberations.

  • In the spring of 1999, Kathleen O'Dowd Boleman was killed behind Roger Williams Middle School in Providence.
  • Williams was identified as a suspect during the initial investigation in 1999.
  • Williams was not arrested until two years ago, in 2024, due to a lack of sufficient evidence to charge him at the time.
  • A Providence detective uncovered new information in 2024 that led to a grand jury indictment charging Williams with murder in April 2024.
  • Williams was found guilty of second-degree murder last month, but the verdict has now been vacated by the judge.

The players

Kevin Williams

A 54-year-old man who was recently convicted of second-degree murder in the 1999 strangling death of Kathleen O'Dowd Boleman, but the verdict has now been vacated by the judge.

Kathleen O'Dowd Boleman

A 41-year-old woman who was strangled to death behind a Providence middle school in 1999.

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What they’re saying

“Not only were these documents inadmissible at trial, more importantly is the fact that coupled with their inadmissibility, it was completely inappropriate for the jury to have the binder in its possession.”

— Defense attorney

“Situations like this are rare and I apologize to all parties affected.”

— The judge

What’s next

The judge has ordered a new trial for Kevin Williams, and the case will now be retried before a new jury.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of ensuring a fair trial and the proper handling of evidence, as the judge determined that the jury's access to inadmissible materials compromised the defendant's right to a fair trial. The overturning of the conviction also raises questions about the initial investigation and the length of time it took to charge the suspect.