Thus, says Nicks, the available evidence "collaborates neither [Patty's] allegations nor the investigator's belief that her charges were completely fabricated. Rather, it shows that someone at some point left semen on the sheets which were on the bed." These sheets were not tested until Patty contested the charges against her; when they were tested, they did not match the man Patty identified as her likely assailant.

"This evidence raises the possibility that [Patty] was assaulted and was perhaps mistaken about her assailant," states Nicks. "[I]t raises a reasonable doubt in my mind; therefore the charge has been dismissed."

The dismissal, says Harlowe, is the legal equivalent of an acquittal. He thinks it's an appropriate outcome, but doesn't want it to be the last word: "My hope is that, when the dust settles, they're going to take an independent look at the evidence and reopen the [rape] investigation."

Patty agrees, although she was hoping the semen matched an individual, so her rapist could be nabbed without her having further contact with police. "That sperm belongs to somebody," she says. "It isn't anybody I know."

Indeed, Patty recalls that one of the first officers on the scene noted the way the sheets were stripped from the bed and other clues and said, "This guy has definitely done this before." She thinks this observation was on the mark: "He's done it before, and he's done it since and he'll do it again and again. He's laughing at the city Police Department for being such a joke."