Grand Jury Indicts Convicted Rapist Accused of Murdering Cranston Woman

The Providence Grand Jury on Friday indicted James Adams, the man who allegedly murdered Mary Grier of Farmington Avenue last July, charging him with one count of murder and multiple rape, robbery, assault and firearms charges.

Adams allegedly beat Grier to death on July 15, capping off a crime spree that began on June 24 during which he raped two women, assaulted a third and used a gun and heavy metal object during the assaults.

He will now face a judge for arraignment in Providence County Superior Court on Dec. 13 before Justice Robert D. Krause. 

Grier, who was 20 when she was killed, was living at the house at 391 Farmington Ave. since 2010. 

Adams, formerly of Midway Drive in Warwick, was charged with first-degree sexual assault and kidnapping in 2005 after he reportedly showed up at home of a woman he described as a "casual friend" and persuaded her to give him a ride in her car. 

Once in the car, Adams brandished a knife and forced her to drive him to his house where he raped her in his driveway. He then forced her to drive through City Park in Warwick before releasing her.

He was held without bail as a probation violator after he was first arraigned in March of 2005. He was on probation for a domestic disorderly conduct charge out of Johnston, serving a six-month suspended sentence with probation.

Two years later, in 2007, Adams eventually pleaded no contest to the charge of first-degree sexual assault and a charge of felony assault. Other sexual assault charges and the kidnapping charge were dismissed.

Adams was sentenced to 20 years in prison, seven to serve. Thirteen years of his sentence were suspended. He was also sentenced to 13 years of probation and ordered to attend a sex offender program and a mental health program as well as have no contact with the victim.