Christopher McCowen

Christopher M. McCowen is an American man convicted of murder. McCowen was found guilty in the 2002 rape and murder of Christa Worthington, a former fashion writer whose family had lived in Truro, Massachusetts, for generations. McCowen was charged with the crimes in April 2005, more than three years after the discovery of Worthington's body in her Truro home on January 6, 2002.

McCowen had lived on Cape Cod since about 1998 and had been a garbage collector whose regular route included Worthington's home. McCowen was charged on the basis of genetic fingerprinting and incriminating statements he made during a police interview. On November 16, 2006, he was convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated rape, and aggravated armed burglary. He was sentenced to life without parole.

In January 2008, a hearing was held to determine whether racism was a factor in the jury’s decision to convict McCowen. Three jury members testified separately that fellow jurors made racist remarks during deliberations. In December 2010, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court denied an appeal for a new trial.