Wooded Rapist suspect set for trial

By CHRIS ECHEGARAY • Staff Writer (Tennessean)• July 31, 2008 The man accused of being the Wooded Rapist is now scheduled to go to trial in April 2009 in Davidson County Criminal Court. Judge Seth Norman will conduct the trial. Robert Jason Burdick, 38, is suspected in at least 13 rapes and faces related charges stemming from attacks between 1994 and 2008 in Davidson, Williamson and Wilson counties. He has been held without bail since his May 1 arrest on Interstate 24 in Rutherford County. Burdick is charged with seven counts of aggravated rape, two counts of attempted aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated burglary, especially aggravated kidnapping and attempted rape in Davidson County.

'Wooded Rapist' suspect appointed public defender

Suspected "wooded rapist" Jason Burdick appeared in criminal court with public defender Gary Tamkin, right, during an arraignment hearing.
(JOHN PARTIPILO / THE TENNESSEAN)

By CHRIS ECHEGARAY • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • May 14, 2008

The man accused of being the Wooded Rapist was appointed a public defender after he filled out paperwork claiming he was indigent at his arraignment this morning.

Robert Jason Burdick, 38, already facing charges in two other counties, entered the standard not guilty plea in front of Judge Seth Norman.

Two victims sat in the courtroom looking at who they think attacked them. One of the women claims to have bitten Burdick during the attack. The women declined to comment. .

Burdick is suspected in at least 13 rapes and other sexual related charges stemming from attacks between 1994 and 2008 in Davidson, Williamson and Wilson counties.

He has been held without bail since his May 1 arrest on Interstate 24 in Rutherford County. Senior Assistant District Attorney General Roger Moore says it’s a high-profile case that’s important to the community. “How big this case is, I’ll answer when it’s over,” Moore says. “It’s important to our office and it’s important to the community.”Burdick’s lawyer, Gary Tamkin,

declined to comment.

Suspect in 'Wooded Rapist' case to have arraignment this week

By RACHEL STULTS • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • May 12, 2008 The man police believe to be the “Wooded Rapist” will appear in court Wednesday for his arraignment. Robert Jason Burdick, 38, has been charged with four rapes and two attempted rapes in Davidson County. He is suspected of committing 13 rapes in Davidson, Williamson and Wilson counties between 1994 and 2008. Most of those crimes were committed in homes that were near wooded areas. The arraignment will be held at 9 a.m. in Davidson County Criminal Court. Burdick has been held without bail in the Davidson County Jail since his arrest May 1. He was arrested on Interstate 24 in Rutherford County after police said they matched his DNA with biological samples recovered from many of the Wooded Rapist's crime scenes.