The victim of a 2013 rape in Minneapolis with a powerful message to other women who find themselves in such a horrific situation.
Melissa Zimmerman is speaking out for the first time as her attacker is sentenced to more than 20 years in prison.
"I wanted to give up a lot," says Zimmerman. "Girls out there, getting a rape test kit done isn't easy. It's scary. But you know what, if I wouldn't have done it that day, I wouldn't have been able to send a horrible, horrible person to jail finally."
36-year old Mohamed Bulle was convicted after investigators matched his DNA from a more recent crime to evidence collected back in 2013.
Zimmerman was sexually assaulted in a Minneapolis park, and agreed to provide evidence through a rape test kit. She says that is what ultimately helped investigators find her attacker.
"It's amazing how one person, one awful person can just waste so much time, energy and resources," explained Zimmerman. "And so, I'm glad that the jury found him guilty, and that they were able to take in account all of all of the evidence that everybody was able to piece together after such a long time."
Bulle’s sentencing concludes the cold case rape investigation by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) team.
“Our thoughts are with the victim and her loved ones today, as Mr. Bulle is finally being held accountable for this terrible crime,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “It should not have taken more than a decade to get here. Under my watch, and with the dedication of our incredible staff, survivors of sexual assault will be given the support, resources, and dignity they deserve.”
The SAKI team was created to test previously untested sexual assault kits from the Minneapolis Police Department. Through the SAKI project, in partnership with MPD and BCA, all backlogged kits have been reviewed.
Mr. Bulle has 248 days of credit for time already served.