Dateline NBC “A Promise to Gloria” January 5 2024 Recap & Preview
In a Dateline NBC episode titled “A Promise to Gloria,” Andrea Canning reports on a significant development in the case of Gloria Pointer, a 14-year-old who was tragically killed in 1984.
What Happened to Gloria Pointer & Killer Hernandez Warren?
Hernandez Warren, a convicted rapist, pleaded guilty to the murder of 14-year-old Gloria Pointer, which occurred in 1984. This plea included charges of aggravated murder and rape, with a sentence of life in prison and potential parole eligibility after 30 years. His guilty plea came before the scheduled trial, where he could have faced the death penalty if convicted. Warren apologized to Gloria’s family during the court proceedings.
Gloria Pointer, a student at Harry E. Davis Junior High School in Cleveland, was on her way to receive a perfect attendance award on December 6, 1984. However, she never made it to school and was reported missing. Her partially clothed body was later discovered in a fire escape stairwell, revealing that she had been beaten and sexually assaulted.
The case remained unsolved for nearly three decades until 2013 when biological evidence from Gloria’s clothing led to a DNA match, identifying Hernandez Warren. He was arrested in May 2013, confessing to the crime, stating that he was under the influence of drugs at the time. Hernandez had a criminal history and had previously spent time in prison for a 1985 assault and rape.
In 2014, Hernandez pled guilty to aggravated murder and rape, apologizing to Gloria’s family during the court proceedings. He was sentenced to thirty years to life in prison and is currently incarcerated at the Toledo Correctional Institution in Lucas County, Ohio, with the possibility of parole in 2043.
