Joseph Roberts
Golden Gate University School of Law student Joseph Roberts has been arrested in connection to the brutal murder of his fiancée, Rachel Elizabeth Imani Buckner, also a law student at Golden Gate. On July 20th, Buckner’s body was found inside a garbage bag and missing its head, hands, and feet, along the California shoreline.
As reported by the New York Post, DNA evidence connects Roberts to the crime. Robert Hansen, a detective on the case, said, “Joseph’s DNA was on the tape that wrapped her body, which meant he was aware she was dead, he was aware she was dismembered… He took an active role in wrapping her body, concealing it in plastic garbage bags.”
When questioned by police, Roberts reportedly denied any knowledge of Buckner’s death and hypothesized she died by suicide. Roberts had no answer as to why his DNA would be found with Buckner’s dismembered body.
Roberts previously made the media circuit as a “victim” of #MeToo. He appeared on the YouTube show, “The Exceptional Conservative Show,” saying he was falsely accused of sexual misconduct by sorority girls while a student at Savannah State University. Saying, “They said things like they were afraid for their lives. It was just total lies.”
In light of his recent arrest, that just hits different.
His story was then used by the Trump administration.
He even went on to share his story with Betsy DeVos, President Donald Trump’s secretary of education, and hailed her as a hero when she unveiled new Title IX rules strengthening due process rights for college students accused of sexual misconduct.
He also appeared on ABC’s “Nightline” — in a red MAGA hat — telling his tale.
In a statement, Buckner’s family said, “Her death has left a void that is indescribable in her community and village.”
Roberts is being held in Alameda County, Santa Rita Jail without bail. He has not yet entered a plea in the case.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.
