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Volume CXVII, Number 26
University of Southern California
Monday, February 24, 1992
DNA test clears suspect of rape, other charges, attorney says
By Toni Sciacqua
Assistant City Editor
A man charged with kidnapping and raping two women and the attempted rape of a third, including a USC student, was released on his own recognizance Friday after a DNA test proved he was wrongly accused, according to prosecutor Marc Debbaudt.
Charges against Richard Nichols, who spent more than four months in the Los Angeles County Jail, are expected to be dropped March 4 when the DNA test results will be presented to the court, Debbaudt said.
The DNA test uses blood, semen or hair samples to create a “genetic fingerprint." Nichols' test, compared with the semen tested as evidence from the rape of the USC student, proved he was not the rapist, Debbaudt said.
"I'm personally convinced that Nichols isn't the right guy," he said.
Nichols, who maintained his innocence throughout the investigation, cooperated with police and told them that he loaned his car to his friend, a man he called "Poo," Debbaudt said. Police identified (See Nichols, page 14)
Annual security report out
Increases seen in theft; damages
By Tracy Wilson
Assignment Editor
More than $1 million worth of property was stolen or vandalized at the university in 1991, according to an annual report issued by University Security. The numbers represent a $374,082 increase from 1990.
Theft of personal property accounted for $921,980 of the $1,347,260 loss, the report said. The remainder was the result of theft or vandalism of university-owned property, said Sgt. John Lewis of University Security.
"It's not necessarily the removal of property but damage of property as well," Lewis said.
Reports of misdemeanor vandalism — damage valued at less than $1,000 — increased from 161 incidents in 1990 to 196 incidents in 1991; felony vandalism — damage worth more than $1,000 — remained at 13 for each year, according to the report.
The property loss increase for university-owned property from 1990 to 1991 was $72,179, an approximate 20 percent increase.
Crime Al USC
Below is the total monetary loss incurred by the USC community in the last three years due to crime. The percentages indicate the amount of change from year to year.
Dollar Loss
University
Personal
1989
1435,279.99
>921.980.45
Total $1,347,260.44
Dollar Loss
University
Personal
Total
Dollar Loss
University
Personal
1990
$353,1 00.34 l\620.077.80
$973,178.14
1991
$305,788.31
‘>679,263.31
Total $985,051.62
Areas of crime that have	
shown significant jumps in	
the last year.	
Jan-Dee Jan-Dee	
1991	1990
Burglary	
FMV: 644	501
Grand	
Theft Auto. 163	147
Grand	
Theft: 162	140
Vandalism,	
Misd.: 196	161
Total	
against	
persons: 249	220
Total	
against	
oroperty: 2377	2211
Total: 2626	2431
The category with the largest increase was vehicle burglaries, which also accounted for the majority of personal property thefts, Lewis said.
According to security's annual report, there were 644 burglaries from motor vehicles in 1991, an increase of 143 from 1990.
There was a total of 2,626 crimes reported to the Los Angeles Police Department in 1991 compared to 2,431 in 1990, according to the report.
Eighty-five percent of the increase is accounted for by vehicle crimes, Lewis said.
"On-campus and the Row accounts for (See Crime, page 2)
Score!
Edward Siegel / Dally Tro|an
Lorenzo Orr celebrates after scoring a basket in USC’s exciting 73-72 win over Stanford on Saturday. See story, page 20.
TEP may lose chapter
Friday night party leaves fraternity under fire
By Sean Polay
City Editor
The USC chapter of Tau Epsilon Phi may lose its recognition from the university, Interfraternity Council and its national headquarters because of a party Friday night, said Mike Nardi, executive vice president of IFC.
Though no major incident was reported as a result of the party, the fraternity's recognition is in jeopardy because entertainment at the party has been called offensive by many members of the Greek system.
"There were a couple of minor fights that (University) Security broke up, but there were no major incidents of any type," said Pat Wade, president of Tau Epsilon Phi.
For the second consecutive year, the fraternity hosted hot
oil	wrestlers from the Tropicana club in Hollywood, despite repeated warnings from the Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils and its national headquarters to postpone the event because of its offensive nature, Nardi said.
"Basically, it was not an IFC or Panhellenic-sanctioned party," Nardi said. "We told them they would be in serious jeopardy as far as their recognition by the university if they went ahead with the party. They will face the consequences."
Jeff Sherwood / Dally Trojan
Because of a party the TEP fraternity threw Friday night, their USC charter may be revoked.
The national headquarters warned the fraternity not to host the party or it could have its charter revoked, Nardi said.
"We will be notifying the national," he said.
Despite knowing the possible consequences, the fraternity went ahead with the party, Wade said.
"After last year's party, we got a lot of positive response,"
he said. "Everyone had a great time. We went ahead with the party because there is nothing legally wrong with hot oil wrestling.
"In our house, we don't like to have exchanges and dress up in little uniforms and stuff like that," Wade said. "We like the days of 'Animal House' and big open parties. It's our First Amendment right to be able to do that. . . . It's our property."
"I saw a lot of girls around even while the wrestlers were on," he said. "I've gotten a lot of positive response already. A lot of girls said, 'Hey, it wasn't necessarily our forte, but we had a blast.' "
The council was scheduled to have an executive meeting Sunday night to discuss recommendations to the Office of Residential and Greek Life regarding possible action against the fraternity, he said.
"It's most likely we will recommend that Greek life pull recognition of the house," Nardi said.
Officials from Greek Life were not available Sunday for comment.
The controversy stems from a similar party at the same fraternity last year. Female members of the Greek community found the entertainment offensive and (See Party, page 3)