June 27, 2004
Camera phone is man's defense
In an other incident were a cell phone is used as evidence, the Belleville News reports on a Madison County man accused of rape, who was able to prove his innocence thanks to pictures taken that night with his camera phone.
"The photos he snapped convinced authorities Carrie Alesandrini wasn't being truthful when she reported a rape to Bethalto Police in January. Prosecutors ended up charging Alesandrini with disorderly conduct, and she recently pleaded guilty.
According to Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Vucich, the pictures were of sex acts that were obviously consensual. Alesandrini had taken pictures of the man, and he took pictures of her,
"There were times when it was clear she had the camera. They weren't the kind of pictures that would be taken during a rape," Vucich said.
The prosecutor said Alesandrini apparently made up the allegation because her boyfriend was suspicious about her being gone all night.
Industry officials say the case is an example of how the growth of camera phones is helping police get to the bottom of cases".
Related articles on how cameraphones have helped nab criminals:
-- Camera phones as a new crime-solving tool
-- Cellphone snapshot exposes flasher
-- Camphone snap as evidence in police investigation
-- Teen abduction foiled thanks to camera phone
-- Pictures from camera phones used as evidence to catch criminals
-- Young robber caught on cell phone camera
-- Robbers caught on cell phone camera
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