2006 cold case rape suspect walks out of jail without having to pay bond

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police have arrested a man nearly 13 years after a woman was dragged into a west Charlotte cemetery and raped, but less than 24 hours later, he was already out of jail.

Dimarco Alexander, 40, walked out of the Mecklenburg County Courthouse Friday afternoon claiming police have the wrong man.

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Investigators said Alexander is the man who grabbed a 33-year-old woman as she got off a Charlotte Area Transit System bus along Rozzelles Ferry Road in September 2006.

The victim told police he dragged her into the woods behind a nearby cemetery and raped her.

After the sex assault, a rape kit was done.

In 2018, Alexander, who was in federal custody at the time, was identified as a suspect through DNA.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department 's cold case unit took over the investigation and arrested Alexander Thursday on two counts of first-degree rape.

His bail was set at $50,000 on each charge, but before he could go to jail, a magistrate unsecured the bonds.

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So, Alexander walked out of jail without having to pay a dime and before police could request that he wear an electronic monitor.

Cheryl Jones with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Courtwatch said Alexander walking out of jail is another example of a system that doesn't hold suspects accountable and doesn't consider the impact on the victim.

Alexander is free until his next court appearance.

Channel 9 asked the magistrates why he was released without having to post bond, but we were told they cannot comment on specific cases.

Cox Media Group