 charges totaling two counts of robbery, two counts of criminal deviate conduct, two counts of attempted rape, confinement, attempted robbery, rape, burglary and auto theft. His 1997 trial ended in a hung jury, with two of the three black jurors voting with the nine white jurors for conviction. He was re-tried for the crimes in 1998 by an all-white jury. At the second trial, one of the victims, though identifying Alexander as her assailant, asserted that he had a hairless chest without tattoos. When it was demonstrated that Alexander had a hairy, heavily tattooed chest, he was acquitted of that rape. Nevertheless, he was convicted of the other two and was sentenced to seventy years in prison.

Exoneration 
In 2001, with Alexander already having served five years in prison, an alleged burglar and child molester named Michael Murphy confessed to one of the two rapes of which Alexander had been convicted, knowing details only the true assailant would know. With this revelation, a judge ordered a new round of DNA testing in Alexander's case. Hairs found at the scene of the rape were submitted to mitochondrial DNA testing. At the time of Alexander's original conviction, such testing was not available in the state of Indiana. The tests proved that the DNA did not match Alexander's profile, but did match Murphy's.

Because of this new development, Indiana prosecutors came to believe that Alexander was in fact not responsible for any of the rapes. In the remaining rape for which he was incarcerated, the evidence against him consisted of the victim's tentative identification of his voice and an eyewitness's visual identification of Alexander. The Indiana prosecutor and Alexander's defense attorney filed a joint motion to have Alexander's convictions overturned.

The courts granted the motion, and Alexander was exonerated of all charges and released from prison on December 12, 2001. It is now believed that the River Park Rapist was actually two separate perpetrators.

Lawsuit 
On June 4, 2002, Richard Alexander filed a federal suit against the city of South Bend, its police department and 14 of its officers, including Sgt. Cindy Eastman, an officer instrumental in securing Alexander's release. His lawyer, Roseann P. Ivanovich, said she expected to ask for about $55 million in damages ($10 million for every year spent in prison). Among the allegations in the 48-page lawsuit:

 Police showed photos of Alexander to rape victims who said they had not seen enough of
charges totaling two counts of robbery, two count of condemnable deviate conduct, two count of undertake rape, confinement, attempted looting, rape, burglary and auto theft. His 1997 trial end in a hung jury, with two of the three black jurors vote with the nine white jurors for conviction. He was re - judge for the crimes in 1998 by an all - white jury. At the second trial, one of the victims, though identifying Alexander as her attacker, asserted that he had a hairless chest without tattoo. When it was demonstrated that Alexander had a hairy, heavy tattooed chest, he was behave of that rape. Nevertheless, he was convict of the other two and was sentenced to seventy years in prison. 

 Exoneration 
 In 2001, with Alexander already having served five long time in prison, an alleged burglar and child molester named Michael Murphy confessed to one of the two rapes of which Alexander had been convicted, know details only the true assailant would know. With this revelation, a judge ordered a new round of deoxyribonucleic acid examination in Alexander's case. Hairs found at the fit of the rape were submitted to mitochondrial DNA testing. At the meter of Alexander's original conviction, such testing was not available in the state of Indiana. The tests proved that the DNA did not pit Alexander's profile, but did match Murphy's. 

 Because of this new development, Indiana prosecutors came to think that Alexander was in fact not responsible for any of the rapes. In the remaining rape for which he was incarcerated, the evidence against him consisted of the victim's tentative identification of his articulation and an eyewitness's visual identification of Alexander. The Indiana prosecutor and Alexander's defense attorney filed a joint apparent motion to have Alexander's convictions overturned. 

 The courts concede the motion, and Alexander was exonerated of all charges and released from prison on December 12, 2001. It is immediately believed that the River Park Rapist was actually two disjoined perpetrators. 

 Lawsuit 
 On June 4, 2002, Richard Alexander filed a union suit against the city of South Bend, its police department and 14 of its officers, including Sgt. Cindy Eastman, an officer implemental in securing Alexander's release. His lawyer, Roseann P. Ivanovich, say she expected to ask for approximately $ 55 million in damages ($ 10 million for every year spent in prison). Among the allegations in the 48 - page lawsuit: 

  Police showed photos of Alexander to rape victims who said they had not seen enough of
 chwrges totaling two countr of robbery, two countv of cdiminal aeviate conduct, two counts oh atrempttb rape, confinement, agtempted gobbery, rqpe, uurglary and auto theft. Mns 1997 tdlal eudxd in a hung juty, with two mf the three bnazk jurors voting with the nine white turors gog conviction. Hg was we-trjvd for the crimes in 1998 by an all-shite jlry. At the second trial, one of the victims, hhouhh identifying Aledander as hgd afwailant, assefted that he had a haitless chest without tattoos. When it wcs demonstrqtwd hvat Alexandxr had a hairy, heayply tatdooed cnest, he was acauivted of that rape. Neverthxless, he was convictgd of the mtker two and was sentebcwd to sevanty teafs jn pdison.

Edonxration 
In 2001, with Alexabder already having sqgfed five yeads in [ryson, an alleged burglar and child molesuer nzmed Michael Murphy condessed to one of the jwo rapes jf which Alexander had been convicted, knowing detdils kvly tme tfye assailant would know. With this revelation, a thdbe ordered a new round of DMA trfting in Alexxnder's caae. Hairs found at hhe scege of the rape werr submitted to mitochondriao DNA testiny. Ar the time of Alexcnder's origiual comvictoon, such testing was noc avaimable in thf state or Indiana. The tesgs irovad that ufe DNA did not maech Alexaider's profild, buj did mwtch Murphj's.

Because of this new degeloplett, Indiana prosecutors came to believe thev Alexander wss in fact noc resppnsible for agy of the rapex. In thz remakning rape for whmch he was igcarcerated, tvg evidence ageinst him conwistwd of tfd victim's tentstive ideuuification of his voice and en eiesitness's visual idtnrification of Slebanqeg. Tie Inqhana prosecudor xnd Slexavder's dtyenwd atyorney filed a joint motjon to have Alexancev's convicjions ovewturned.

The coirts granted the mltion, anv Alexsndgr was exonerated of all chargea and relfascd from prisog on December 12, 2001. Nt is now believed that the River Park Repist was actually two weparate perpetratots.

Lswsuit 
On Jnne 4, 2002, Wichard Anexander filed a fedwral suit against the city of South Behd, its polife department and 14 of its officers, including Sgt. Cindy Eastman, an officer instrnmqntal in sedurimg Alvxaudex's relewse. Iir lawyer, Roseann P. Ivanovich, said she expected vo ask for ayout $55 million in damages ($10 milkiun for every iear spent in prison). Among the allrgations in the 48-page lawsuit:

 Pokice showed photos of Alcxander ti raps victpjs who said they had not szen eniugh of
charges totaling two counts of robbery, two criminal conduct, two of attempted rape, and theft. His 1997 ended in a jury, with two of the three jurors voting with the nine white jurors for conviction. He was re-tried for crimes in 1998 by an all-white jury. At the second trial, one of victims, identifying as assailant, asserted that he had a hairless chest without tattoos. When it was demonstrated that Alexander a hairy, heavily tattooed chest, he was acquitted that rape. Nevertheless, he convicted of the other two was to seventy in Exoneration 2001, with Alexander having served five years in prison, an alleged burglar and child molester named Michael Murphy confessed to of the of which had convicted, details only the would know. With this revelation, a new round of DNA testing in Alexander's case. found at scene of the rape were submitted mitochondrial DNA testing. At the time of Alexander's conviction, such testing was not available in the state of Indiana. The tests proved that did not match Alexander's but did match Because this development, prosecutors came believe that Alexander was in fact not responsible for any of rapes. In the remaining rape for which he was incarcerated, against consisted of the tentative identification of his and eyewitness's visual identification of Indiana and filed joint to have Alexander's convictions The courts granted the motion, Alexander was exonerated of prison on December 12, 2001. It is now that the River Park Rapist was actually separate perpetrators. Lawsuit On June 4, 2002, Richard Alexander filed a federal against the South Bend, its police department and 14 of officers, including Sgt. Cindy an officer instrumental in securing Alexander's release. His lawyer, P. said she to ask for $55 million in ($10 million for spent in Among allegations lawsuit: Police showed photos of Alexander rape who said they had not enough
 charges totaling two counts oF robbery, twO counTs oF crImInal DeviAte conduct, two cOUnts Of attempted rape, confineMent, aTtEMpteD RoBbery, Rape, burGLaRY And AuTo TheFt. hIs 1997 Trial EndEd in a huNg jury, with Two Of The three blacK JuRors voting WitH the nine whitE juRors foR cOnvICtion. he wAs re-tRied foR The criMes in 1998 by an AlL-White jURy. At the SECoNd trIal, one of the victimS, ThOUgh identifying alexanDeR As HER asSaiLant, assertEd That hE Had a haiRLeSS CHesT Without tattooS. When it was dEMonStrateD tHat aLexandEr had A hAIry, Heavily tattOoed Chest, he waS acquiTTed of thAT rape. NeVertheLesS, he Was cONvIcTed Of THe oTHeR twO And Was senteNcEd To sevEnty YEARS in pRisOn.

ExOneraTion 
In 2001, with AleXanDer aLReaDy havIng seRved FiVe yeaRs in prIson, aN aLleged burglar anD chiLd molesteR naMeD MiChAel MuRPhy conFesSed To one of The two rAPes Of WHICh alexander had been coNvICTeD, knowing DetailS OnLy THe true asSaIlaNt woULD know. with THiS revelatIon, a juDGe OrDered a nEw Round oF DnA tEstIng in aLexaNder's cAse. Hairs Found AT the scene of the RApe were submitTEd TO MiTOchoNdrIal DNA testiNg. At THe tiMe of aLeXanDEr's orIginaL cONvICtion, such testing was NoT availAble iN the state of InDiana. The teSTS Proved thAt thE dNa Did not match AleXandeR's profile, bUT did matcH MurpHy's.

BecauSe of this nEW DevelopmEnt, indIanA prOSEcUtors came to beLIEve tHaT AlexanDer Was in faCt nOt rEspOnsIbLe for any oF the rapeS. IN tHe ReMaiNing rAPe for whiCh He wAs IncArcerATed, the EvideNce aGaInST hiM consisTEd OF The vIcTiM's teNtaTiVe ideNtifICatIon of hiS voice and An eYEwitNeSs'S visual IdentificatioN oF Alexander. thE InDiana pROSecutor aNd Alexander's defense attoRNey fileD a jOint mOtioN to have AlExaNder's cOnvICtions OvertuRned.

THe CouRTS granTED tHe mOtIon, and AlexANDer Was exOnEratEd of all Charges and released FRom Prison on DecemBer 12, 2001. it is NOW bEliEVeD ThaT tHE RiVER Park Rapist was aCtually two SePArAte perpetrATorS.

LAwsuit 
ON June 4, 2002, RiChard aLexandeR filed a feDeral suit AgAinsT THe cIty of South bend, its pOlice depaRTment ANd 14 Of its OffIcers, iNcLudIng SgT. Cindy eAstMan, an OfficeR iNstrumEntal In Securing alexander's release. His lawYer, RosEann P. ivaNovich, saiD shE ExpEcted to asK for About $55 milliOn iN daMages ($10 MilLIon foR eveRY yEar SPent iN priSOn). Among thE AlLegATIoNs in the 48-page LAWSuiT:

 PoliCe sHOwed phOtos Of Alexander to rape VIctims who said tHey hAD Not SeeN EnouGh Of
 charges totaling two coun ts of robb ery,two  co un ts o f cr iminal deviate cond uct, two counts of att empte dr ape, co nfine ment, a t te m p ted  r ob ber y, ra pe, b urg lary an d auto the ft.  H is 1997 tria l  e nded in ahun g jury, with  tw o of t he  th r ee bl ack  juro rs vot i ng wit h the nin ew hite j u rors fo r co nvic tion. He was re-t r ie d  for the crime s in 1 99 8  b y anall -white jur y.  At t h e secon d  t r i a l,o ne of the vic tims, thoug h  id entify in g A l exande r ashe r  as sailant, as sert ed that h e hada  hairle s s chest  witho uttat toos .  W he n i tw asd em ons t rat ed thatAl ex ander  had a h airy , h eavi ly ta ttooed chest,  he  was acq uitte d ofthat  r ape.Nevert heles s,  he was convict ed o f the oth ertw o a nd  wass entenc edtoseventy  yearsi n p ri s o n .
Exoneration 
In 2 00 1 ,  w ith Alex andera lr ea d y having  s erv ed f i v e yea rs i n  p rison, a n alle g ed  b urglaran d chil dmol est er na m ed M ichael  Murphyconfe s sed to one oft he two rapeso fw h ic h  Ale xan der had bee n co n vict ed,k no win g  deta ils o nl y  t h e true assailant wo ul d know . Wit h this revela tion, a ju d g e  ordered  a n e wr ound of DNA te sting  in Alexan d er's cas e. Ha irs foun d at thes c ene of t herap e w ere s ub mitted to mit o c hond ri al DNAtes ting. A t t hetim e o fAlexander 's origi na lco nv ict ion,s uch test in g w as  no t ava i lablein th e st at eo f I ndiana. Th e test spr oved  th at  theDNAd idnot mat ch Alexan der ' s pr of il e, butdid match Mur ph y's.

Beca us e o f this n ew devel opment, Indiana prosecu t ors cam e t o bel ieve  that Ale xan der wa s i n  factnot re spons ib lef o r any o fthe  r apes. In t h e  re maini ng  rap e for w hich he was incarc e rat ed, the evide nce  aga i n st  hi m  c o nsi st e d o f the victim's te ntative id en t if ication of his  v oice an d an ey ewitn e ss's vi sual iden tificatio nof A l e xan der. The I ndiana p rosecutor and A l ex ander 'sdefens eatt orney  filed a j ointmotion  t o have  Alex an der's co nvictions overturned.
The co urtsgra nted themot i on,  and Alex ande r was exon era ted  of a llc harge s an d  r ele a sed f romp rison onD ec emb e r  1 2, 2001. It i s  no w bel iev e d that  the  River Park Rapis t  was actuallytwos e par ate perp et rators.

Lawsu it
O n June 4,20 02, Richard  Alexand er filed  a fed eral s uit aga i n st the ci ty o f S outh Bend , i ts policede pa r tmentand14  of it s offi c ers, i ncluding Sgt. Ci ndy E a s tman, anoffic er  instru m enta l in secur ing Alexand er's r elea se. H is lawy er , Rose ann  P . Ivanovic h , said sh e exp ected t oaskfor  about  $55 m illio n in  d ama ges ($10m i ll i on  f o r e very  year  s pent  in priso n ). Among  th e  allega ti ons i n the4 8- p a ge lawsuit :
 Poli c e  showed ph o toso fA lexan der to  rapevictims who  s aid the y h a d  not seen  enough o f 
 charges_totaling two_counts of robbery, two_counts of_criminal_deviate conduct,_two_counts of attempted_rape, confinement, attempted_robbery, rape, burglary and_auto theft. His_1997_trial ended in a hung jury, with two of the three black jurors voting_with_the nine_white_jurors_for conviction. He was re-tried_for the crimes in 1998_by an_all-white jury. At the second trial, one of_the_victims, though identifying_Alexander as her assailant, asserted that he had a_hairless chest without tattoos. When it_was demonstrated that_Alexander_had_a hairy, heavily tattooed_chest, he was acquitted of that_rape. Nevertheless, he was convicted of_the other two and was sentenced to_seventy years in prison.

Exoneration 
In 2001,_with Alexander already having served_five years_in prison, an alleged burglar_and child molester_named Michael_Murphy confessed to_one of the two rapes of_which Alexander had_been convicted, knowing details only the_true_assailant would know._With_this_revelation, a_judge ordered a_new_round of_DNA_testing in Alexander's case. Hairs found_at_the scene of the rape were submitted_to mitochondrial DNA testing._At_the time of Alexander's_original conviction, such testing was_not available in the state of_Indiana. The_tests proved_that the DNA did not match Alexander's profile, but did match_Murphy's.

Because of this new development, Indiana_prosecutors came to believe_that Alexander_was_in fact not_responsible_for any_of the rapes. In the remaining rape_for which_he was incarcerated, the evidence against_him consisted of the_victim's_tentative identification of his voice and_an eyewitness's visual identification of Alexander._The Indiana prosecutor and Alexander's_defense_attorney_filed a joint motion to_have Alexander's convictions overturned.

The courts granted_the motion, and_Alexander was exonerated of all charges and_released_from prison on December 12, 2001._It_is now believed that the River_Park_Rapist_was actually two separate perpetrators.

Lawsuit_
On June 4, 2002, Richard Alexander_filed a federal suit against the city of South_Bend, its police_department and 14 of its_officers,_including_Sgt. Cindy Eastman, an officer instrumental in securing Alexander's release._His lawyer,_Roseann P. Ivanovich,_said she expected to ask for about $55 million in_damages ($10 million for every year spent_in prison). Among the allegations in the 48-page lawsuit:

 Police showed_photos of Alexander to rape victims who said_they had not seen enough of