The STUDenT VOICe OF The OhIO STaTe UnIVerSITYFirst copy free, additional copies 50¢ Tuesday november 25, 2008 128th year, No. 46

By Leigh BrockLantern staff writerbrock.93@osu.edu

The Columbus Division of Police is still investigating the Northwest Serial Rapist, who is believed to be responsible for seven attacks in northwest and west

Columbus. Although it has almost been five months since the first attack, police remain hopeful that they will find new leads.

Ben Levitan, a pioneer in cell phone design and develop-ment whose expertise

includes location-based cell phone evi-dence, said he believes the rapist could easily be caught if he has a cell phone.

Levitan was an expert witness in the murder trial of Julie Popovich, a former Ohio State student whose remains were found near Hoover Dam on Sept. 1, 2005, nearly a month after she disappeared from Ledo’s Lounge on North High Street.

By comparing cell phone records of the suspect and Popovich, Levitan said

he believes the man convicted of the of the crime, Adam Saleh, is innocent. However, these findings were never pre-sented in court.

The jury found Adam Saleh guilty and he is currently serving 38 years to life in prison.

Laura Merritt, Verizon’s midwest spokeswoman, confirmed that a cell phone can be tracked if it is turned on, even if there is no activity at the time.

Levitan said the police might find a vital clue in the seven rape victims’ cell phone records.

Using these records, police can trace which cell phone tower was picking up the signal at the time of the attacks. Then, they can gather a list of other num-bers that used the same tower during the time period of every attack.

“You could find a list of numbers really quickly, and most likely only find one common phone number between the lists,” Levitan said.

And that one phone number, Levitan said, would most likely lead police to the serial rapist.

Verizon was quick to offer help. “We have assisted hundreds of law enforce-ment agencies across the country and

would certainly work to assist the Columbus Police,” Merritt said.

Columbus police Sgt. David Pelphrey of the special victims and sexual assault unit is skeptical of Levitan’s theory.

“If I could say one thing, I’d say it’s preposterous,” Pelphrey said. “But any-thing’s conceivable.”

Pelphrey does not deny the impor-tance of technology but said he doubts that it is the key to identifying the rapist.

“Ultimately, technology is not what’s going to solve this case — it’s a lot about communication, following up on clues and going out and knocking on doors,” Pelphrey said.

Until the serial rapist is apprehended, police suggest women take a proactive approach to their own safety.

Central Ohio Crime Stoppers is col-laborating with the FBI, Fraternal Order of Police and CoreTactix Self Defense and Fitness Training to organize eight free women’s self defense classes to accommodate 600 participants.

Although the classes are sold out, women can join a waiting list at crimestop.org.

phone records could track rapist, expert saysSerial rape and cell towers

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June 4 Drivemere Road, Hilliard

Oct. 5 White Cedar Court, near Galloway Road

Nov. 2Marlowe Court, West Side

Oct. 24 King Avenue, Northwest Side Sept. 12

Smiley’s Corner, Northwest Columbus

Oct. 1Wakeford Street, near Olentangy Commons

Oct. 23 Busch Boulevard, South Columbus

Every three minutes, a cell phone that is turned on can be tracked as long as it is within the coverage area of the wireless network. This data is recorded and kept for up to six months and can be available to law enforcement o� cials with proper legal documen-tation. All seven of the Northwest Serial Rapist’s attacks were in close range with at least two cell towers that could have picked up the victims’ cell phone signals. After generating a list of phone numbers that were tracked at the same time, one common phone number among the lists should lead to the rapist, according to Ben Levitan, a cell phone expert.

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GRAPHIC LInDSeY SWanSOn ⁄ THE LANTERN

By amber PhelpsLantern staff writerphelps.84@osu.edu

The Ohio State sailing team will spend Thanksgiv-ing weekend clad in wetsuits while competing in below freezing temperatures.

The team will be one of five Midwest teams competing in the 62nd Annual Timme Angsten Memorial Regatta, a national competition in Chi-cago. This is the first time the OSU Sailing Team has quali-fied for a national regatta since 2000.

“It’s a huge achievement,”

said Charles Murman, team captain and a junior in indus-trial and systems engineering. “In 2000, it had been a long time since the team qualified. It’s very competitive.”

The achievement is well deserved, Murman said, as the team has overcome finan-cial woes this year.

“Our boats are old and from the 1970s,” said Bryn Bach-man, a member of the sail-ing team and a senior in art. “Because we are a self-sup-ported group, we have to pay dues and coordinate our own fundraising to compete.”

Although the team has 12 boats, the condition of the boats hinders the team’s abil-ity to practice and compete, Murman said.

“It would cost $3,000 to

buy a new boat,” Murman said. “It’s not wise to pur-chase only one boat because it would make practicing more difficult. We can’t expect team members to practice on

a new boat and then be able to switch to an older boat.”

A new fleet would cost the sailing team almost $15,000, a sum that is beyond the team’s reach, Murman said.

“The boats are falling apart,” Murman said. “We’re not allowed to hold champi-onship regattas because our boats are crummy. Our boats are kind of a joke to other teams.”

Hosting teams have to provide boats for regatta participants.

The OSU sailing team has had to rely on boats loaned

from Denison University in the past to host a regatta.

“They have really nice boats and are supported by their school,” Murman said. “We’re crossing our fingers and hoping someone can help us purchase a new fleet.”

The team practices at the man-made Hoover Reservoir in Westerville.

“Many of my friends don’t know where we practice since we don’t have a lake around campus,” Bachman said.

“ The boats are falling apart. We’re not allowed to hold championship regattas because our boats are crummy. Our boats are kind of a joke to other teams.”

Charles Murman, team captain

Ben Levitan

See SaILInG Page 4

american Indian Ian Boots skates to success

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