5 Stories That Rocked Our Summer

Resentment of Police Investigation Lingers

Streets Still Not Safe

The case of the Ann Arbor serial rapist came to a close this summer with the conviction of Ervin Dewain Mitchell Jr. on four counts of sexual assault and one count of murder. On July 13 Judge Donald Shelton sentenced Mitchell to mandatory life in prison and an additional 50-75 years for the murder of Christine Galbraith (who was also convicted of raping). Mitchell also received three concurrent 50-75 year sentences for the rapes of three other Ann Arbor women.

"This case demonstrates that criminal sexual conduct has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with assault and violence," said Judge Shelton in handing down the sentence. "If you are ever again free, what we do here will have accomplished something."

In May 1994, shortly after the brutal rape and murder of Ann Arbor resident Christine Gailbreath, police released Information pointing to the existence of a serial rapist. This rapist was believed responsible for 11 assaults (rapes, attempted rapes, and one murder) since February 1992. The attacker's modus operandus was to approach his victim from behind, knock her unconscious, and then rape her. Most of the victims never saw their attacker. The few who did were only able to provide a vague description of him.

Then last Christmas Eve, Michelle Richards, the last of Mitchell's victims - a woman who he assaulted and attempted to rob - got a good look at him. In particular, she noted his white gloves, which he was still wearing when spotted on Christmas morning by cabbie Mike DeCamillo. DeCamillo had received the description over hls dispatch radio. He contacted police and kept Mitchell in sight until police arrived.

The case against Mitchell for the three rapes and one rape/murder rested primarily on DNA evidence (he has yet to stand trial for the attempted robbery) . DNA from his blood sample matched that of semen found on four of the victims.

"The statistical findings establish that Mr. Mitchell's DNA matches, and a statistical population figure shows one African American in 2 trillion would have similar genetic markings," testified Dr. Julie Howenstine, an expert in the analysis of DNA. "Six probes match Mr. Mitchell," she said. "Four probes are usually acceptable as proof and six are irrefutable."

Mitchell is appealing his convictions, a process which could take three or more years. He begins serving his life sentence in the meantime.

Bitterness remains in the community

Due to the vagueness of the description of the assailant - a black man of medium build , 25-35 years old - it seemed that an overwhelming number of black men in Ann Arbor could be considered suspects in the massive manhunt. Police claim that 600 black men were questioned during the investigation and blood was taken for DNA analysis from 160 of them.

The process Ann Arbor police chose of eliminating African-American men as suspects proved costly in terms of public relations with the black community. Many men claimed they were coerced into giving blood and now worry that their DNA workup will remain in a police computer database. Some report that being questioned as a suspect was stressful and embarassing.

Last summer, local civil rights activists formed the Coalition for Community Unity (CCU) out of concern for how the investigation was being carried out. They worked to inform black men of their rights when being questioned by the police. That group continues to meet regularly, and is still deeply critical of police actions In the investigation.

According to CCU member and former Ann Arbor City Council member Larry Hunter, the coalition would like to see three things happen. "First, we want an apology from the police," Hunter told AGENDA. "Second we want the return of the blood samples and third, many of us believe there should be some sort of remuneration back to the people who were harmed in these events."

The police claim they need to keep the blood samples as evidence until all of Mitchell's appeals are exhausted.

At a community forum held by the Ann Arbor Police Department Aug. 2, police learned just how much resentment remains in the community. Police Chief Cari Ent apologized for "any pain caused to this community, but especially to the 160 men." Still, residents lambasted the department for insensitivity and a lack of respect. As reported in The Ann Arbor News, CCU member Aaron Shell asked, "Without respect for the community, how can the community respect police?"

At the community meeting, Ent vowed to improve officer training and to create four citizen advisory boards. The Police Chief has also requested that men from whom blood samples were taken, call him to discuss their feelings on the process. He claims that their feedback could be used to change police procedures in such matters.

Streets are still not safe

Law enforcement officials warn that Just because Mitchell was convicted, the streets are still not safe. "Mitchell is not the only person out there who poses a threat," said Ypsilanti Police Detective Sgt. Ron Kohier in a July 16 article in The Ann Arbor News. Washtenaw County Sheriff's Dept. Detective LL R.J. Smith estimates that up to 90% of sexual assaults in Washtenaw County are committed by an acquaintance of the victim.

To Joyce Wright, education coordinator for U-M's Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC) , Mitchell's conviction means that "we have one less rapist out there on the streets."

"Because this case was such a high profile one, many women may feel that it's safe again," Wright told AGENDA. "It's important to not let your guard down because there are others out there you may not be aware of."

The Commission on Increasing Safety for Women, a group initiated by the Ann Arbor City Council, has been studying ways to improve women's safety in the city- including the distribution of 5,000 photocell porch lights and other sexual assault prevention and education efforts. The commission is now in the process of implementing their findings. They can be reached at the Mayor's office: 994-2766. U-M's anti-violence efforts are conducted through SAPAC. They can be reached at 763-5865.

Reward money awarded

Cab driver DeCamillo, who helped facilitate Mitchell's capture, was initially awarded the $ 100,000 reward money that had been offered through The Ann Arbor News' Secret Witness program for information leading to the arrest of the serial rapist. Half of the reward money had been pledged by McKinley Associates and the rest from other local businesses and a group called Neighbors of Eberwhlte Woods (where the first of the string of attacks occurred).

Michelle Richards, however, a victim of Mitchell, claimed her description of Mitchell entitled her to part of the reward money. After Richards threatened legal action, the reward committee (composed of Ann Arbor Police Chief Cari Ent, Washtenaw County Prosecutor Brian Mackie , and Ann Arbor News Publisher David Wierman) reconsidered their decision and split the reward money between DeCamillo and Richards. The details of that settlement have not been made public.