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7A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015 Will new focus on rape kit tests put thousands behind bars? Series of Kits that had been left to gather dust could bring rapists to justice. By SHARON COHEN AP National Writer The evidence piled up for years, abandoned in police prop- erty rooms, warehouses and crime labs. Now, thousands of sexual assault kits are giving up their se- crets — and rapists who’ve long UHPDLQHG IUHH PD\ ¿QDOO\ IDFH justice. A dramatic shift is now tak- ing hold across the country as police and prosecutors scramble to process these kits, and use DNA matches to track down predators, many of whom have attacked more women while evidence of their crimes sat in storage. ³7KHUH¶V GH¿QLWHO\ PRPHQ- tum,” says Sarah Haacke Byrd, managing director of the Joyful Heart Foundation, an advocacy group working on the issue. “In the last year we really are seeing the tide turn where federal and state governments are offering critically needed leadership and FULWLFDOO\QHHGHGUHVRXUFHVWR¿[ the problem.” In Cleveland, the county pros- HFXWRU¶VRI¿FHKDVLQGLFWHGPRUH than 300 rape suspects since 2013, based on newly tested DNA evi- dence from old kits. Ultimately, 1,000 are expected to be charged. In Houston, authorities re- cently cleared a backlog of nearly 6,700 kits, some decades old. The project turned up 850 matches in a national DNA database. In Detroit, the prosecutor’s RI¿FH KDPVWUXQJ E\ FLW\ DQG FRXQW\ ¿QDQFLDO WURXEOHV KDV SDUWQHUHGZLWKWZRQRQSUR¿WVWR raise $10 million to help analyze, investigate and prosecute cases stemming from more than 11,000 untested kits. There’s a new urgency, too, among lawmakers. Legislators in more than 20 states are consider- ing — and in some cases, passing — measures that include counting all kits and setting deadlines for submitting and processing DNA evidence. 7KH KLJKSUR¿OH FDPSDLJQ DOVR LV JHWWLQJ D ELJ ¿QDQFLDO boost: at least $76 million for test- ing, prosecution and reforms. It’s too soon to know how much testing will cost. But in some cases, it’s too late for jus- tice because statutes of limitations have expired. In others, investiga- tors will have to dig through old ¿OHVDQGWUDFNGRZQVXVSHFWVDQG rape survivors. It’s an enormously time-consuming venture. “It’s great entertainment on television that in one hour’s time, we have a crime, we take the (DNA) sample, we get a ‘hit,’ we arrest the suspect and then he’s prosecuted and off to jail,” says Doug McGowen, coordinator of Memphis’ Sexual Assault Kit Task Force. “That’s just not the case, clearly.” In Memphis, where about half of more than 12,300 kits have been tested or are waiting to be DQDO\]HGLWZLOOWDNHDQRWKHU¿YH years to complete the investiga- tions and prosecutions, McGow- en says. In resurrecting old crimes, investigators have detected an alarming pattern: Many rapists are repeat offenders who might have been stopped with a timely testing of sexual assault kits. In Wayne County, home to Detroit, authori- ties say 288 potential serial rapists have already been found among the kits analyzed. “Yes, it is an embarrassment,” said Kym Worthy, Wayne County prosecutor. “It shows that we, as this country, do not respect rape victims to the extent that we re- spect other victims.” This new spotlight on rape kits stems from the work of groups such as Joyful Heart, the willing- ness of survivors to speak out, in- ‘It shows that we, as this country, do not respect rape victims to the extent that we respect other victims.’ — Kym Worthy prosecutor vestigative media reports and the attention of political leaders from statehouses to the White House. Two frequently cited reasons for the backlog are money — it can cost $500 to $1500 to test each kit — and technology. DNA wasn’t widely used until the mid to late 1990s. Some police departments also haven’t tested kits if the assailant was known, the woman wouldn’t press charges or the attacker con- fessed. “There is no smoking gun that you can point to in any city in America to say this is the one reason why we have this accu- mulation of kits that have been untested,” McGowen says. Mary Lentschke, an assistant Houston police chief, says even with DNA, police still didn’t have enough money and crime lab workers, who also were assigned to solve homicides. “When you don’t have the funding and you GRQ¶WKDYHWKHVWDI¿QJ\RXPDNH decisions on a case-by-case ba- sis,” she says. 1HZ ¿QDQFLDO FRPPLWPHQWV though, will help. President Barack Obama’s 2015 budget set aside $41 million to help reduce the backlog. Another $41 million has been proposed for the 2016 budget, along with $20 million for reforms. And Manhattan District Attor- ney Cyrus Vance Jr. has pledged up to $35 million he estimates will be enough to test 70,000 kits. “We felt this was an essential invest- ment,” he says. 9DQFH¶V RI¿FH VD\V ODEV SR- lice, prosecutors and others from 30 states have expressed interest in the funds. Money, though, is just part of the solution. Rebecca Campbell, a Mich- igan State University professor who has consulted and trained SROLFH GHSDUWPHQWV VD\V RI¿FHUV often doesn’t understand trauma. “If a victim is very calm and quiet they think there’s no possible way she could have been raped,” she says. Campbell was chief author of a recently released multi-year study that reviewed 1,595 untest- ed sexual assault kits in Detroit. Her research, funded by the Na- tional Institute of Justice, found evidence of “police treating vic- tims in dehumanizing ways.” Women were often assumed to be prostitutes, the study found, and adolescents frequently per- ceived as concocting stories to avoid getting in trouble. But progress is being made in Detroit and elsewhere with new police training and rules for handling kits, improved under- standing of trauma and legislative reforms. When law enforcement deals with rape survivors now, says Sgt. Amy Mills, head of the Dallas po- lice sex assault unit, “We always start with, ‘We believe you,’ not ‘Convince us.”’ For rape survivors, the delays have been infuriating and inexpli- cable. Meaghan Ybos was just 16 in 2003 when she was raped by a knife-wielding, masked man in her suburban Memphis home. In 2012, she called Memphis police after hearing TV reports of a serial rapist in the community. She thought it might be her attack- er. It was only then — nine years later — that she realized her kit hadn’t been tested. When it was, the results led to Anthony Alliano, who later plead- ed guilty to assaulting Ybos and six other girls and women. His sentence: 178 years. “Before he was caught, I told myself I had moved on and I had healed, which was the furthest thing from the truth,” Ybos says. “I realize how the attack and the disregard of law enforcement just informed every second of my life. ... It was always with me in every second of those nine years.” Ybos became a driving force for reform, helping draft and lob- by for a measure in Tennessee that eliminates the statute of limitation on rapes reported within three years of the crime. It was signed into law in 2014. “She stepped forward ... for survivors in ways many don’t,” says Tennessee State Sen. Mark Norris, the bill’s sponsor. “She did the right thing.” quakes rumble near the Oregon Coast The Associated Press SALEM — A series of earthquakes struck off the Oregon coast Monday but RI¿FLDOV VD\ QR WVXQDPLV were triggered. A magnitude 5.8 earth- quake struck at 12:52 a.m. and a 5.5 hit at 4:46 a.m. Monday morning. A third smaller quake measuring magnitude 4.4 hit at 7:46 a.m. Paul Caruso with the U.S. Geological Survey says the quakes hit a fault west of the Oregon and Washington coast. They were about 330 miles west of Salem and 288 miles from Coos Bay Oregon. Caruso says they were 6 miles deep, which is rel- atively shallow. He says the deeper the quake, the less likely people will feel it. The magnitude 7.8 quake that recently struck Japan did little damage because it was 420 miles deep. Caruso says the quakes were not big enough to trigger tsunamis. He says it usually takes a magni- tude 7 for that to happen. Junes: ‘I plan on staying involved for years and years’ “You have to have good grades and be respectful,” she said. “If you’re wearing an Astoria jersey, then you’re not JRR¿QJRII´ baseball, but really the last two or three years is when I got su- “The whole goal is to keep perinvolved,” said Junes, who kids active and busy,” Junes actually holds down three other said. “We are just trying to get jobs during the school year. kids out of the house and onto “It is a big job to keep it all Busy, busy WKH ¿HOG DZD\ IURP WKH YLGHR together and ready to go. It’s a 7KHUH¶VFHUWDLQO\QRJRR¿QJ lot of work, but it’s worth it.” games, staying out of trouble, off in running a youth baseball and staying active.” And it’s Junes who enlists Sports “are so good for them,” organization. the help of other parents. Astoria Youth Baseball does VDLG -XQHV ZKR KDV ¿YH ER\V “By the time (the players) four of whom are playing base- QRW KDYH DQ RI¿FLDO RI¿FH HY- are 12, all the parents know the ball. “They don’t really have time eryone’s a volunteer, and the drill, they’re all willing to help to do anything else, except base- YROXQWHHUVKDYHQRRI¿FLDOWLWOHV and they know how everything ball and school. And they love it.” Technically speaking, they just works.” And there are some high do stuff. Like fundraising — a never- standards to being a youth base- “I have been helping since ending pursuit in youth baseball, ball player in Astoria. Colby (her oldest son) started in any city. Continued from Page 1A Last year, when the Lower Columbia 12U All-Stars won the state tournament (hosted by Astoria), there was a mad dash to raise funds for the team’s trip to regionals in Montana, where /RZHU&ROXPELD¿QLVKHGWKLUG “The big fundraising is when we hit All-Stars,” Junes said. “If we were to win state and go to Idaho this year, it’s huge to have that community help, because we want every kid to go, and at least one of their parents. “Last year, the community was behind us so much, it was incredible. We were all able to go. We paid for the fees to get in the tournament, paid for their travel and paid for them to have a place to stay. “It’s very expensive,” she said. “I was blown away with how much it ended up being. The fact that we all got over there was awesome. It’s a once- in-a-lifetime thing for the kids.” And if this summer is like the rest, the Lower Columbia All-Star teams will pound the cookies out of every team they play, win a few tournaments, WKHQ ¿QLVK XS ZLQQLQJ D VWDWH championship or two. “I think we got it,” Junes said. “But I’m a mom.” Lower Columbia’s 12U All- Stars, coached by Kenny Hage- man, host the Majors’ state tour- nament, July 10-12 at Columbia Field. 6R LI \RX KDSSHQ WR ¿QG yourself at a ball game this summer — and Kati Perry Junes happens to be working the concession stand (what are the odds?), stop by and tell her thank you for all that she does. “I plan on staying involved for years and years. I don’t think I could give it up.” Oh — and ask her if she could stir that drink. — Gary Henley CL ASSIF IE D M ARK ETPL A CE N EW TOD AY ! P lace classified ad s o n lin e at w w w .d ailyasto rian .co m o r call 503-325-3211 Look a t these a ds first N EW T ODAY N EW T ODAY Comfort Inn & Suites - Seaside, a Lincoln Asset Management Hotel, under new management and looking to build a team of associates that have the desire to serve. Now hiring fulltime Housekeepers ($10-$13 DOE) and Facilities Technicians ($12-15 DOE), schedule will include weekends and holidays. Must be customer service oriented with 50 lbs. push, pull, lift requirement. Includes free breakfast. Apply between 9:00 - 3:00 at 545 Broadway Seaside. Accepting Applications: Help chart a course! Hiring! Full-time Day/Evening Cook Work Schedule: Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri from 12pm-8pm! Please apply online at: www.teamavamere.com or in person, at facility! Suzanne Elise Assisted Living 101 Forest Drive Seaside, OR 97138 (503) 738-0307 *Avamere offers a full benefits package (including paid vacation!) for full-time employees Part-time bartender. Experienced only. Apply in person at Golden Star, 599 Bond St. Hiring! Full-time/Part-time Wait staff Day (6:30am-2pm) Evening (3:30pm-7:30pm) Opportunities Available! Please apply online at: www.teamavamere.com or in person, at facility! Suzanne Elise Assisted Living 101 Forest Drive Seaside, OR 97138 (503) 738-0307 *Avamere offers a full benefits package (including paid vacation!) for full-time employees Our counselors are like navigators helping our students find the best path to successful completion. This challenging but rewarding job allows you to witness our students grow and change with the help of your guidance. Bachelorʼs degree with 15 social service related credit hours and one year of related exp. required. Apply at www.mtc.jobs Questions? Call 503-338-4961. Management & Training Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minority/Female/Veteran/Disability MTC Values Diversity! Applications available Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Point Adams Packing Co. 482 Fleet St. Hammond, OR Hiring! Part-time Medication Aides Swing (2pm-10pm) and Noc (10pm-6am) Opportunities Available! The primary responsibility of this position is to administer medications to residents and assist with other aspects of their daily care and routine. Please apply online at: www.teamavamere.com or in person, at facility! Suzanne Elise Assisted Living 101 Forest Drive Seaside, OR 97138 (503) 738-0307 Competitive Pay Join our team today! Receptionist/ Entry-level Office Busy Seaside law firm looking for multi-line phone, computer, and customer-service skills. Spanish speaking and legal experience a plus. Send resume to seasideoregonoffice@gmail.com. Competitive Pay Join our team today School Psychologist (2 Positions) Ocean Beach School District Naselle/Wahkiakum/ Toutle School Districts Full-Time; 2015-16 School Yr Schedule Starting Annual Salary Range: $40,820 - $64,174 Student Assistance Professional: P/I Ocean Beach School District Full-Time; 2015-16 School Yr Schedule Starting Annual Salary Range: $31,566 - $38,574 For job description and online application visit our website: www.esd112.org/hropenings/ ESD 112 Vancouver, WA - EOE 61 B ANKRUPTCY 70 H ELP W ANTED BANKRUPTCY $250 25 Years Experience. (503)440-0281 / (503)678-7939 Now hiring processing workers for the whiting season. Tongue Point is a drug-free workplace and has a tobacco-free campus. Hiring! Full-time/Part-time Caregivers Day (6am-2pm) and Evening (2pm-10pm) Shifts Available Please apply online at: www.teamavamere.com or in person, at facility! Suzanne Elise Assisted Living 101 Forest Drive Seaside, OR 97138 (503) 738-0307 N EW T ODAY WE DELIVER! McMenamins Sand Trap is now hiring for a Sous Chef II (Production). Previous culinary experience/ education and supervisory experience in a high volume kitchen required. Qualified applicants must also possess the following: a willingness to learn; an open and flexible schedule including days, evenings, weekends, holidays; an open summertime schedule; and an enthusiasm for working in a busy, customer service-oriented environment. Previous experience is a plus! We have seasonal and long term opportunities. Looking for a career in the hospitality industry? We offer opportunities for growth and great benefits to eligible employees. Apply online at www.mcmenamins.com or pick up a paper application here at the Sand Trap (or any other McMenamins location). Mail to: 430 N. Killingsworth, Portland, OR, 97217 (Attn: HR); or fax to 503-221-8749. E.O.E. Please leave a light on or install motion detector lights to make your carrierʼs job easier. Thanks! THE DAILY ASTORIAN 70 H ELP W ANTED Accepting Applications: Now hiring processing workers for the whiting season. Applications available Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Point Adams Packing Co. 482 Fleet St. Hammond, OR ALL ABOUT CANDY SEASIDE CANDYMAN NEEDS YOUR HELP $10/hr to start increasing to $14 with proven experience. !!START IMMEDIATELY!! 21 N. Columbia, #105, Seaside Or. (503)738-5280, candyman@seasurf.net Warrenton-Hammond School District Assistant Principal/ Athletic Director for Warrenton High School Application/job details available online at www.warrentonschools.com or contact (503) 861-2281 CLASSIFIED ADS are used by people when they are searching for products or services. For fast results, use a Classified ad to attract people who are ready to buy your product. 45 P UBLIC N OTICES Occasionally other companies make telemarketing calls off clas- sified ads. These companies are not affiliated with The Daily Asto- rian and customers are under no obligation to participate. If you would like to contact the at- torney general or be put on the do not call list, here are the links to both of them Complaint form link: http://www.doj.state.or.us/ finfraud/ Are you looking to make a difference in someoneʼs life? Coast Rehabilitation Services is seeking caring and compassionate people who are seeking rewarding opportunities as he/she assists adults with disabilities to lead quality lives of their choosing in a residential setting. Warrenton, Gearhart, and Seaside. Successful applicants must be at least 18 years of age, have a High School diploma or GED, and pass a criminal background check, pre-employment drug test, and pre-employment physical. You must also possess a valid driverʼs license. Applications can be obtained and returned at our admin office at 89451 Hwy. 101 in Warrenton, Billʼs Tavern and Brewhouse is now hiring PT/FT line cooks, must be availbale nights and weekends. (503)436-2202 or pick up application at 188 N. Hemlock, Cannon Beach, OR. BioOregon Protein is hiring seasonal production workers for our Whiting Season. Competitive wages. Apply in person at 1935 NW Warrenton Drive in Warrenton. 503-861-2256. Pre-Employment screening required. EEO Company. Cashier/Clerk Accepting application for honest, friendly, self-motivated individual for a full-time position. Starting pay $10.25 per hour. Pre Employment screening required. Applications available at Budʼs RV in Gearhart 4412 Hwy. 101 North Gearhart, OR. 97138 City of Warrenton Finance Director $5,745.64 to $6,983.84 Deadline: June 19, 2015, 5:00 pm Download application and full job description at www.ci.warrenton.or.us. Mail application, resume, and cover letter to City Manager, City of Warrenton, PO Box 250, Warrenton, OR. 97146. Questions Contact: Linda Engbretson, (503)861-0823 Linda Engbretson lengbretson@ci.warrenton.or.us AA/EOE Comfort Inn & Suites - Seaside, a Lincoln Asset Management Hotel, under new management and looking to build a team of associates that have the desire to serve. Now hiring fulltime Housekeepers ($10-$13 DOE) and Facilities Technicians ($12-15 DOE), schedule will include weekends and holidays. Must be customer service oriented with 50 lbs. push, pull, lift requirement. Includes free breakfast. Apply between 9:00 - 3:00 at 545 Broadway Seaside.