A man who raped a San Mateo woman in 1989 and slit her throat from ear to ear was sentenced Friday to eleven years to life in prison — nearly five years after he was found by police using DNA technology, prosecutors said.

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John Harris, Jr., a 59-year-old resident of Manteca, was at large for more than 30 years — until investigators were able to link DNA left at the scene of the crime with DNA he left on an envelope he licked and sealed.

“It’s a spectacular feeling, and we’re so happy for this victim,” said San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe. “This victim, throughout those 36 years, always kept in contact with the police. She’s one of the strongest victims we’ve ever encountered, and she always made sure we were still paying attention.”

Harris initially

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