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Convicted 'ski mask rapist' confesses to six other attacks

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The man convicted of raping women in Charlotte in the late 1970s confessed there were more victims, including one police didn't even know about.

Last week, Jerry Lee Brooks, nicknamed the "ski mask rapist," was convicted for three attacks. As a part of his plea deal, he confessed to six other rapes.

One of his victims told Eyewitness News anchor Tenikka Smith she always knew there were more victims and she hopes now they can have some closure, too.

Amy Outten never forgot the day in 1979 when she sat in a room full of women at the Charlotte police department who all believed they were victims of the "ski mask rapist."

"I remember that we all looked alike and that we were all about the same age and they all had the same description of the crime," Outten said.

It took 33 years before DNA evidence linked Brooks to three attacks.

Last week he took a plea deal, life in prison with possibility of parole in 10 years.  In exchange, he pleaded guilty to Outten's rape and two others.  He also confessed to five rapes, one attempted rape and another rape police said was never reported.

Investigators have spent the last several days trying to reach the other victims to let them know their cases would finally be closed.

"I'm hoping they will be able to find all of them. I wish I could help," said Outten.

Since Brooks was arrested in 2012, Outten said she's felt guilty as her case moved through the courts knowing there were other victims who didn't have enough evidence to get the same justice.

"I never meant to leave you out because it was so hard. I knew you were out there," she said while crying.

Brooks' confession some three decades later confirmed it.

"I am totally satisfied now. I don't care what happens to Brooks. All I care about is them and what happened to them and who did it -- so that they can get some closure," Outten said.

As a part of the plea deal, Brooks will not be charged for the six other rapes he confessed to.

On Eyewitness News at 5 p.m., hear of her hope for those women now that Brooks has confessed to the crimes.

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