The Department of Justice issued a statement on October 25, 1996 that it has informed Richard Jewell's attorney that Jewell is not a target of the ongoing investigation of the bombing at Olympic Centennial Park.

STATEMENT REGARDING RICHARD JEWELL

The following statement has been issued by
United States Attorney Kent Alexander:

"Today I have delivered a letter to counsel for Richard Jewell
advising him that based on the evidence developed to date Mr. Jewell
is not a target of the Centennial Olympic Park bombing investigation.
Due to the extensive  coverage of Mr. Jewell, and in fairness to him,
I am also issuing this public statement.

A 'target' is a person whom the government can link to a crime with
substantial evidence and, in the judgment of the prosecutor, is a
likely defendant. In close consultation with the FBI and after a
careful review of the evidence, including Mr. Jewell's recent
interview with the FBI, I have determined that Mr. Jewell is not a
target at this time. Barring any newly discovered evidence, that
status will not change.

The FBI is thoroughly and vigorously investigating the brutal
Centennial Olympic Park bombing that left two people dead and over 100
wounded. The public expects nothing less. Unfortunately, criminal
investigations often intrude upon the lives of private citizens like
Mr. Jewell and his mother. In this case, the Jewells have regrettably
also endured highly unusual and intense publicity that was neither
designed nor desired by the FBI, and in fact interfered with the
investigation. The public should bear in mind that Richard Jewell has
at no time been charged with any crime in connection with the bombing,
and the property that was seized pursuant to court-authorized search
warrants has been returned.

The FBI and its partner law enforcement agencies are working
tirelessly to bring to justice the person(s) responsible for the
Centennial Olympic Park bombing. I hope that the investigation can now
move forward with no further premature publicity about the identity of
individuals who have been and continue to be investigated in this
case."

(News Media Note: Interviews on the statement or the investigation
will not be available. Early next week, after consulting with the
Court and counsel for Mr. Jewell, the sealed search warrant affidavits
and related pleadings, as redacted by the Court, will be made
available to the public. For further assistance, contact Patrick
Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, United States Attorney's Office, at
404-581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S.
Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is
http://law.emory.edu/USAO)