The April 19, 1989, attack on the Central Park jogger polarized the Big Apple and changed lives. Here’s a look at some of the major players:
MATIAS REYES, predator. Was 18 when he raped the jogger, waited 13 years – after the statute of limitations expired – before revealing his terrible secret. Now serving 33 years to life for four rapes and a murder. “I was a monster,” he told ABC News.
ELIZABETH LEDERER, prosecuted the case. Has refrained from commenting, but colleagues complain she was totally cut out of the reinvestigation.
HUMBERTO ARROYO, detective. Retired in 1994 and now lives in Florida. “It’s outrageous. It’s unbelievable,” he said of the DA’s report. “Matias Reyes has turned the criminal-justice system upside down with his lies.”
MIKE SHEEHAN, detective. Won the confidence of defendant Raymond Santana, who told him, “I did a lot of stuff last night, but I didn’t f— the lady.” Now a reporter for Fox 5, he remains convinced the “Central Park 5” are guilty. “Give me a crack at talking to Reyes,” he said.
TOM McKENNA, detective. Got defendant Yusef Salaam to admit, “I was there; I didn’t rape her,” by telling Salaam that his fingerprints were on the jogger’s underpants. Retired two years ago. Reyes “may have been looking to upgrade his status,” he said. “Rapists have no status in prison. They beat the s— out of those guys.”
RAYMOND SANTANA, defendant. Age 14 when the jogger attack occurred, served eight years. Now 28, he is again behind bars on drug and parole violations.
KEVIN RICHARDSON, defendant. Also 14, he spent 6½ years in prison. Now 28, he is a night watchman and clerk in a home for the elderly and is pursuing a B.A. degree.
KHAREY WISE, defendant. Was 16 when the attack happened and the only one of the five who was convicted as an adult. As a result, he spent 11½ years in jail, the longest of the “Jogger 5.” He and Reyes spent seven months in the same upstate prison. Paroled last August.
YUSEF SALAAM, defendant. Was 15 when the assault occurred, also served 6½ years for rape and assault. Now 28, he is studying computer technology.
ANTRON McCRAY, defendant. Also 15 when the jogger was raped, spent six years behind bars. Now 28, he is married, has three children and works in a factory in the New York area.
STEVEN LOPEZ, defendant. Fourteen at the time of the assault, he was indicted in the attack, but never made any statement. His case was pleaded down, and he served only a year and nine months behind bars. After his release, he had at least four more arrests, including one for selling drugs near a school.
LAMONT McCALL, witness. Thirteen when the attack occurred. He witnessed but did not take part in the assault. In 1993, he was found with a bullet wound to the throat in the lobby of a Harlem building. He died a week later.