Neighbor sentenced in cold case murder

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Friday was an emotional day of reckoning that included moving words of forgiveness for a cold case killer in Buffalo.

James Fountain could spend the rest of his life behind bars for the murder of Cynthia Epps in 1994. Friday morning, Erie County Judge Michael D'Amico sentenced 54-year-old Fountain to 23 years to life in prison.

Although Fountain originally reported finding the body, the case had gone unsolved for years until investigators used DNA evidence to tie Fountain to the crime.

Last month, he confessed to the killing. The victim's sister says this is the closure her family has wanted for a mystery that haunted them for 18 years.

"I forgive him. I truly do," Roxanne Cumberlander said. "It may be hard for people to understand that because of the murder and the way it took place. But in my heart I truly forgive him and I am free and I thank God this is over with and everybody goes on with their lives."

Fountain stabbed Epps to death and stuffed her body into a wooden nightstand in his backyard.