Series on Criminal Justice System in Los Angeles

In June, 1989, I awoke with a knife at my throat. I was stripped, bound, blindfolded and subjected to 2 1/2 hours of continuous rape and other sexual assaults. I was also robbed of everything of any value. Although I was blindfolded, I knew the relative size of the man, as well as the fact that he was young and black. Even now, I would be able to identify his voice.

After he left, I managed to tap out a phone number with my toes. Two policemen arrived and took a report. Then the apartment (in a very nice part of Los Angeles) was thoroughly dusted for fingerprints, which took hours.

A week later a detective with LAPD came and took a very complete report. A few months later when yet another burglary had taken place downstairs, the policeman who was called to the scene told me that the man who had raped and robbed me had been caught.

But someone in the prosecutor’s office apparently decided not to prosecute. I am a 55-year-old widow. Aside from the high cost of moving to another apartment, I have been through hell. Only another victim would know. But where is the justice? How have I been served by our legal system, the one I pay taxes for? I suspect this man who attacked me is free again to hurt and wound another woman.

Name withheld by request

Los Angeles