Malcolm Alexander was arrested in 1980 for a 1979 rape in which the only evidence against him was the eyewitness identification by the victim, who was attacked from behind and whose identification four months after the crime the police twice labeled as “tentative.” The jury never heard this information and Mr. Alexander’s trial lawyer didn’t bother to give an opening statement, closing argument, or present any witnesses in his defense. Mr. Alexander’s trial took less than a day from beginning to verdict.

On January 30, 2018 after a reinvestigation by the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office, the district court judge dismissed the indictment and ordered the release of Malcolm Alexander who wrongly served nearly 38 years for a rape that DNA evidence proves he didn’t commit. He was arrested for the 1979 crime based on a deeply flawed, unreliable identification procedure. His paid lawyer - who was subsequently disbarred after complaints of neglect and abandonment were filed against him in connection with dozens of other cases - failed in his most basic duties to present a defense. Alexander was subsequently released from the Jefferson Parish jail.

Innocence Project based in New York partnered with Innocence & Justice Louisiana (IJLA) to secure DNA testing for Mr. Alexander. The result of DNA testing excluded Mr. Alexander as the donor of the pubic hairs the perpetrator left in the bathroom, the scene of the attack.

On January 30, 2018, Mr. Alexander’s conviction was vacated and he was immediately released from custody. He walked into the arms of his waiting family two hours later.