PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS RESPONDS TO PLANS TO SEEK DISMISSAL OF SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES AGAINST FORMER NAVAL ACADEMY FOOTBALL PLAYER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 9, 2014
Contact: Brian Purchia, brian@protectourdefenders.com

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Attorneys subjected victim to over 30 hours of cross-examination, humiliation, bullying; Naval Academy officials botched investigation – didn’t read suspect his Miranda Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, The Washington Post reported that Naval Academy prosecutors will seek to dismiss the case against a former Naval Academy football player accused of raping a fellow midshipman in April 2012.

After reporting her assault, the victim endured over thirty hours of cross-examination during an Article 32 hearing. During the proceeding, the victim faced an unconscionable attack on her character and her dignity, and was re-victimized by a system of justice that is fundamentally flawed.

 Protect Our Defenders President Nancy Parrish released the following statement:

“From the outset, this was a botched investigation and the Naval Academy put the reputations of the Academy and its football players ahead of the interests of the victim. Such blatant failures as those committed by the investigators in the handling of this case further cripple an already biased and broken military justice system.

“Had there been a competent attempt to pursue this case by trained military prosecutors from the beginning, it might not have forced their hand. Prosecutors-not the Superintendent of a university-should be making the calls on who receives immunity, who is prosecuted, and what charges should be brought.

“This is yet another shocking example of why we need fundamental reform. We are devastated for the victim and her family that she may not see justice for her assault.”

Washington Post: Sex-assault case against former Navy football player may be dismissed  http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/sex-assault-case-against-former-navy-football-player-may-be-dismissed/2014/01/08/99dd728e-78c0-11e3-af7f-13bf0e9965f6_story.html

Baltimore Sun: 2 of 3 midshipmen to be tried in Naval Academy assault case

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/anne-arundel/annapolis/bs-md-ar-navy-assault-case-20131010,0,4315804.story

Los Angeles Times: Two Navy football players to face court-martial on sex charges

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-two-of-three-navy-football-players-to-face-courtmartial-on-sex-charges-20131010,0,4605657.story

Baltimore Sun: Effort to strip Naval Academy official of review in sex assault case is denied

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-ar-navy-lawsuit-hearing-20131007,0,3073405.story

Slate: Navy Hearing Grills Alleged Rape Victim on Her Oral Sex Technique, Whether She Wore a Bra

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/09/24/naval_academy_sexual_assault_trial_the_article_32_hearing_was_abusive_and.html

Protect Our Defenders Statement: Boxer, Blumenthal, Speier and Protect Our Defenders Call on President to Reform Article 32 Hearings

https://www.protectourdefenders.com/statement-boxer-blumenthal-speier-and-protect-our-defenders-call-on-president-to-reform-article-32-hearings/#more-11991

New York Times: Navy Hearing in Rape Case Raises Alarm

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/21/us/intrusive-grilling-in-rape-case-raises-alarm-on-military-hearings.html?emc=eta1&_r=0

Baltimore Sun: The Naval Academy sex assault hearing should be the last of its kind

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-naval-academy-case-20130916,0,3728710.story

Protect Our Defenders Press Release: Shocking Treatment of Victim in Naval Academy Sexual Assault Case Shows Urgent Need for Military Justice Reform

https://www.protectourdefenders.com/press-release-shocking-treatment-of-victim-in-naval-academy-sexual-assault-case-shows-urgent-need-for-military-justice-reform/#more-11599

MSNBC: Naval Academy sexual assault hearing underscores flaws in system

http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/09/04/naval-academy-sexual-assault-hearing-underscores-flaws-in-system/

About Protect Our Defenders:

Protect Our Defenders is a human rights organization.  We seek to honor, support and give voice to the brave women and men in uniform who have been sexually assaulted while serving their country, and re-victimized by the military adjudication system – a system that often blames the victim and fails to prosecute the perpetrator. Learn more about Protect Our Defenders at www.protectourdefenders.com or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/ProtectOurDefenders or follow us on Twitter athttps://twitter.com/ProtectRDfnders.

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