Former Salem Officer Found Not Guilty on Rape Charges

The trial is over for Sterling Alexander, and the jury has found him not guilty on five counts, guilty on two lesser charges, and two were declared a mistrial.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The trial of a Salem Police officer ended today with Sterling Alexander emerging from the Marion County court room of Judge Albin Norblad more closely a free man than he has been in months.

The jury deliberated over 24 hours in this complicated case. At one point, it seemed they had reached an impasse.

At 3:56 PM Wednesday, Judge Norblad announced that there was a verdict on all counts except two, which the jury could not reach a consensus on. Those two counts were deemed a mistrial.

Sterling Alexander was found Not Guilty on all charges, with the exception of two lesser charges: Guilty of Official Misconduct (12-0); and Sex Abuse 2 (11-1).

Alexander will be sentenced on July 9th at 8:00 AM. Neither of the two counts fall under Measure 11, therefore Kevin Lafky, attorney for Alexander said, "It's a good verdict from an overall perspective. One accuser was a complete 'not guilty', and the fact that the jury deliberated for over 24 hours showed they did their homework, and we're very happy with the verdict."

"The sentencing is up to Judge Norblad, but our position is to receive probation, he shouldn't be required to serve any jail time," Lafky said. He noted that it's up to the DA if Alexander is retried on the two charges that were mistrialed. "I think we all hope they've had enough of all this, and are ready to move on."

During the trial, Prosecuting Attorney Jodie Bureta said Sterling Alexander was guilty of a number of crimes that center around the sex abuse allegations of three women, one of whom was a minor at the time of the alleged offense.

Defense Attorney Kevin Lafkey says his client was the victim of a bungled investigation and he says the victims' stories are basically riddled with holes.

Advocates for Sterling Alexander said they have always had faith that he would emerge from the case as a free man.

"We would like to see this as the beginning of a healing process for Salem," a family spokesman said. "We had hoped for a clean sweep of all charges, and we didn't get it. But the jury worked very hard at coming to their decision and the family appreciates it."

The African-American veteran acknowledges that he made mistakes, but that he never committed the crimes he was charged with, and he says he was personally a victim of racist activity at Salem Police that he alleges was never fully investigated.

The thirteen member jury of nine women, counting the alternate, and five men, contained one person who appears to be of minority status. Sterling Alexander was one of Salem's few African-American employees.

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the don January 2, 2008 3:58 am (Pacific time)

norblad is a drunk #1 and justice is not only blind its corrupt and turns away to hide the shame of its own!

Anonymous June 18, 2007 12:10 pm (Pacific time)

there was only one polygraph test done and only two questions asked. the other two 'alleged victims' did not take them and it wouldnt of mattered the jury saw through their lies when they were on the stand.

Salem June 16, 2007 4:31 pm (Pacific time)

yes they were done.. But they don't matter in court! He got off big time...

Me June 15, 2007 12:47 pm (Pacific time)

Re: Polygraph. Does anyone know if any parties of this proceeding were given a polygraph test? Just sheer curiousity...

Anon June 15, 2007 7:02 am (Pacific time)

ML-What was done to HIM? Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but all of this, he did to himself. No one else put him in the position to be accused of these crimes, but him. I know Sterling...and have worked with him. But if you put yourself in compromising positions, you can be compromised quickly, especially in law enforcement. I do wish him the best, but know that it is no ones fault but his own...and with that comes consequences that he will have to pay.

Evidence June 14, 2007 11:11 pm (Pacific time)

Polygraph examinations are not admissable to grand jury or at trial. They do help the DA decided whether to take a case to trial. Hope this helps.

ML June 14, 2007 11:05 pm (Pacific time)

First, you say the jury will find him guilty, THEY DIDN'T!! Now you say that regardless of the verdict he is guilty. Could it be that it is as Sterling said; that they were trying to frame him; maybe the Salem PD? The prosecuters could not prove a thing other than what he was found guilty of. That does not make him a rapist. What about his life now; what about his daughter that was stripped of the only place she called home, the father that was the only one there; the mother who spent countless days fearing for her son and the money that all this cost them. What about that. He can never get that back because of what was done to HIM.

Anonymous June 14, 2007 8:40 pm (Pacific time)

Anonymous: OJ killed two people, this guy sexually offended two girls. How can you not see a difference between the two.

Anonymous June 14, 2007 7:27 pm (Pacific time)

Of course I want him to be guilty. They always are. Just look at OJ. I don't see much difference between the two.

Anonymous June 14, 2007 7:24 pm (Pacific time)

There are plans on having him tried in front of a different jury for the rape, because he was not found innocent. The jury was hung there is a difference. So all those of you that think he is innocent why would we try again? He is a piece of crap and deserves to pay for the acts that he committed. You who think that the jury was right then fine believe what you want but he is a rapist and deserves prison time. He will do it again I am sure of that. Oh by the way the 17 year old did say NO!!!!!! You were not there and how dare you say otherwise. The stayton woman hurt the case because she wasn't telling the truth but how dare you condemn those that were. I agree that the police handled the case wrong but that is neither here nor there when it comes to what this monster did.

Anon June 14, 2007 7:17 pm (Pacific time)

He obviously used his position of power and authority to get inside young girls. that is wrong!

what ever !! June 14, 2007 6:43 pm (Pacific time)

Hey Retired Detective, (which you are not) or you would have known that the cops gather the info and it is the Grand Jury who decides if the the case merits an indictment. It is and never has been up to the cops to get a case to trial....

Me June 14, 2007 3:18 pm (Pacific time)

I am just wondering, and this might be a stupid question... but why didn't they use a polygraph test on the three ladies and the one gentleman?

Retired Detective June 14, 2007 3:03 pm (Pacific time)

Salem PD and OSP were not straight on this one, or their investigation would have stuck. Instead, it failed and it does not make them look good.

ML June 14, 2007 3:00 pm (Pacific time)

the truth prevailed!!! unfortunately he did not ask for an ID which now makes him a sex offender...THE SEX WAS CONSENTUAL!!! INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY!! Sterling knew he would NOT be guilty of rape and all those horrendous charges, all those who called him guilty wanted him to be. Now let him live his life...what little bit he has left after all that ruined it for him.

Henry Ruark June 14, 2007 2:56 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Given widely-divergent Comments, but all expressing strong feeling far apart on major points, is it perhaps time for solid Salem Police investigation of practices ? Ford Foundation for years has had unit involved at local level to guarantee objective, professional study-an-report. If interest exists, can perhap extract information from past contacts with them.

Anonymous June 14, 2007 2:51 pm (Pacific time)

From what I hear, "NO" was never said by any of these 3. Nor was it "forced". That came from their mouths, not mine. But had they said "NO", "STOP" or if there was any struggle, I would completely agree with you. No means NO and RAPE is completely 100% WRONG. No woman should ever EVER have to suffer being RAPED. Unfortunately I think the word RAPE is used out of context sometimes. Either way, in my opinion the Jury did a good job. I agree with Fair.

Anonymous June 14, 2007 12:36 pm (Pacific time)

The fact that the vics aren't saints has nothing to do with his guilt of the rape and things like that. It does not matter if the woman is a prostitute if she says NO it means NO!

Fair June 14, 2007 8:59 am (Pacific time)

I think the jury was dead-on with their verdict. He's no saint, but neither are these 3 women, the defense did a great job of stating the facts. I hope he learns from his errs in judgement, and comes out of this a better person.

steve June 14, 2007 8:37 am (Pacific time)

Make's u wonder! and i get blume for something i didnt do....or the fingers! it will always be with the DA files......but am no cop!

SMP Crime Spree June 14, 2007 7:48 am (Pacific time)

One down and how many more to go? If they convicted every officer down there who had had sex on duty, they might have two or three left standing. At least this one won't be carrying a badge and gun again, thank God.

Here we go again! June 13, 2007 11:24 pm (Pacific time)

Here is what we need to prepare ourselves for; The only reason he was convicted is because he is black. It's always someone else's fault.

Raven June 13, 2007 10:54 pm (Pacific time)

Salem-News has done a great job in following this story so far.

Time to register June 13, 2007 10:52 pm (Pacific time)

"The thirteen member jury of nine women, counting the alternate, and five men, contained one person who appears to be of minority status. Sterling Alexander was one of Salem's few African-American employees." Nice job applying the race card.

abc123 June 13, 2007 9:28 pm (Pacific time)

I suppose you don't allow posts of criticism to your writing, but you are not a good writer, and you are bias. Your buddy is now a sex offender. Good man my a**. The jury has spoken. I am sure he is a good christian boy too. Save it for sentencing.

Anonymous June 13, 2007 8:39 pm (Pacific time)

Go get 'em Sterling! Learn from your mistakes and let your better side have point from here on out, many people love you.

Anonymous June 13, 2007 8:30 pm (Pacific time)

its not over the rape charges will be retried in front of a new jury. Don't get all high and might he is still a rapist!!!

Anonymous June 13, 2007 7:37 pm (Pacific time)

God showed up and showed out!

Anonymous June 13, 2007 7:07 pm (Pacific time)

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

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