Steubenville, OH Gang Rape Case

[ScientistsCanvas]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...rrest.html

One of the accused in the Ohio rape case that has outraged America enjoyed a six day vacation in California and watch a football game while supposedly under house arrest, it emerged today.

MailOnline has learned that Steubenville High School Football star Ma’lik Richmond was granted permission to travel between December 31 and January 5.

Richmond, 16, travelled with his former legal guardians Greg and Jennifer Aggresta – with whom he continues to live – to watch their biological son, Johnny, compete in the prestigious All American Academic Football Bowl.

At the preliminary hearing Richmond’s parents had requested that he remain in the Agresta’s care until the trial.

Given those circumstances, Mr Abdalla continued: ‘Judge Lipps felt that he should go ahead and travel with them. He granted permission.’

Judge Thomas Lipps, a retired juvenile judge from Hamilton County Ohio was brought into rule on the case after Jefferson County Judge, Sam Kerr, recused himself citing a conflict.

The defendants have been under home arrest since their release from detention in October. A condition of that release is that they wear electronic bracelets and travel only to Jefferson Juvenile Alternative School and home again.

But, Mr Abdalla said, that ‘plans had been made and an intinerary set’ by the Agresta family before knowing that Ma’lik was going to be released to them and this was factored into the ruling'.

When asked why Richmond wasn’t simply returned to detention for the six days, Mr Abdalla said: ‘The option of putting him back in was considered.

‘But both boys were in detention for a long period of time and they’re innocent until proven guilty or till they admit something. We knew where he was at every moment.’

Richmond’s attorney Water Madison said that the request to allow his client to travel was out of concern for his safety.


unbelievable.

[NightOwl]

Taken from Steubenville Herald Star Newspaper January 10 2013 14 interesting comments beneath story!

McVey discusses response to alleged rape investigation.

STEUBENVILLE - Steubenville City Schools Superintendent Mike McVey said this morning the school district followed proper protocol when officials learned of an alleged rape last August that may have involved Steubenville High School students.

"We have fully cooperated with the Steubenville police and will continue to fully to cooperate with all legal authorities," McVey said during an interview in his office this morning.

http://heraldstaronline.com/page/content...l?nav=5010

[Sphincter Cop]

Taken from Steubenville Herald Star Newspaper January 10 2013 14 interesting comments beneath story!

Two quotes from the comments section I really liked:

"Too much is being said about a change in venue. This case has been set to Juvenile court, NOT a trial by JURY. The only person that has any real impact on the case would be the JUDGE. This will not be a jury by peers. this will be a fight between lawyers and 1 judge. No reason to change venue, except maybe for more publicity."


"By remaining silent, witnesses thwart the work of investigators which may ultimately prevent justice from being served,"

If the town is so torn apart, and the amount of publicity is this crazed. Can you imagine what it is like in the high school right now??

[Sphincter Cop]

Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla brings printouts of an anonymous Facebook post in which he was threatened with murder and his family threatened with harm, into his office on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, in Steubenville, Ohio. The FBI is investigating cyber threats in the eastern Ohio city. (AP)

Steubenville High School Rape Case: Online Threats, Hackers Complicate Their Case
By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS (AP)

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio -- Shortly after Police Chief William McCafferty arrived at the office one day this week, he found an email from someone claiming to be a hacker from Ontario with a tip. Moments later, a warning message popped up, and the chief's computer was disabled. Within hours, the FBI had the email, and McCafferty's computer technician was trying to transfer files off the hard drive.

It was another reminder for McCafferty of the attention being paid to his department's investigation of the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl at a party last summer by two local football players, both of whom have been charged and are going on trial next month. The chief had already been warned to stop using his home computer for fear of hacking.

The case has gained international attention through the work of bloggers and hacker-activists who allege there was a cover-up to protect other football players they argue should have been charged. The suspicions hinge on the presence of other students nearby when the alleged attack happened, including at least two students who captured it on their cellphones but weren't arrested.

That and other online attention have threatened in recent weeks to overshadow the criminal investigation in this economically depressed city of 18,000 in eastern Ohio – a town that once thrived on steel mill jobs that have all but disappeared, and now takes huge pride in its accomplished high school football team. Defense lawyers are seeking to move the trial because of the attention.

The FBI is investigating a Facebook death threat against the family of the local sheriff, who took his office's website down as a precaution. Last week, a threat made on a student's Facebook page caused a 90-minute lockdown at the high school and led the district to add unarmed guards to its four buildings.

Hackers also apparently attacked the high school sports program's fan website, RollRedRoll. Statements posted there "were not even intended to reveal truth, but rather simply to get media attention and terrorize the Steubenville community," the website said after the attacks.

Government and community agencies in and around Steubenville have added online security, restricted access to websites and in a few cases taken websites down altogether.

The Rest Of The Story

[Jimbone]

Is anyone surprised that this isn't the first time?

Shocking images have been found on a cellphone showing two more girls, facedown and partially naked on the floor of the same basement where the Ohio rape of a 16-year-old girl allegedly took place, it can be revealed today.

The photographs were stored on a cellphone belonging to a teammate and friend of the Steubenville case accused, Ma’lik Richmond and Trent Mays – and raise the chilling possibility of two more, as yet unknown, victims.

The images were not taken on the night under investigation and it is not clear whether their subjects were conscious or aware of being photographed.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...stars.html


Probably not even the second time:

Federal Agents are investigating another allegation of sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl at a Prom party at which several members of Steubenville’s Big Red football team were present, it can be revealed today.

MailOnline has learned that a report was filed with Steubenville City Police in September and relates to an incident that allegedly took place at a house party in the small Ohio town last April.

Approached by MailOnline the family of this latest ‘victim’ declined to comment. Her step-father explained: ‘We’ve been advised by our lawyer not to say anything.' He agreed that, ‘anything involving Big Red football players is hot right now,’ adding ‘that’s the problem.’

The girl is being advised by Bob Fitzsimmons, attorney for the 16-year-old girl at the centre of the Ohio rape case currently.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...RTEEN.html

[NightOwl]

Good find here! I have not seen this reported anywhere else yet.

The UK Daily Mail has seen 300-page transcript of hearing in which full horror of night in Steubenville is revealed.

Now there could be a pattern here, more girls pictures and on the same type of carpet but, at a different time, things are a bit foggy on these pictures, this is not looking good though! Hope we get more details on these girls.

Wouldn't we all like to know whose home this was?

[Sphincter Cop]

The UK Daily Mail has seen 300-page transcript of hearing in which full horror of night in Steubenville is revealed.

So pathetic that the U.S. media is plagued with censorship and the abundance of its reporting is based on emotion tied into sensationalism!

I still would love to see the judicial opinion stating why the culpable states of this case do not dictate an adjudication of these minors to adult court.

[username]

Well I think they did call it a rape club or something.

This is unrelated but I've heard it's fairly common to have "fantasy sex games" at high schools. I guess they work like the fantasy football (which I know nothing about) except the idea is sex with certain girls.

[Sphincter Cop]

Well I think they did call it a rape club or something.

A friend associated with them kept "tweeting" the group with the hash tag "Rape Crew"

[Jimbone]

Wait for it... I am sure some lawyer will argue that is really an acronym for the Responsible Adolescents Preventing Exploitation Crew.

[username]

Wait for it... I am sure some lawyer will argue that is really an acronym for the Responsible Adolescents Preventing Exploitation Crew.

*snort*

[Sphincter Cop]

Wait for it... I am sure some lawyer will argue that is really an acronym for the Responsible Adolescents Preventing Exploitation Crew.

[Sphincter Cop]

Why wouldn't a victims identity (especially in a case of rape with a juvenile) not be already protected? I think the media and internet interest in this case is prompting this more than the angle they are proposing on behalf of the victim.

Ohio attorney general: Close Steubenville athletes' rape trial

By: ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS, AP

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The trial of two high school football players charged with raping a 16-year-old girl should be closed to the public to protect the victim, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said Wednesday.

DeWine, whose office is prosecuting the case, said he's met with the girl and she's "doing OK." He made his comments two days before a judge will rule on defense requests to delay, move and close the trial.

"We're dealing with a 16-year-old victim," DeWine said. "It's difficult enough for her to testify without testifying in front of the whole world."

The football players are accused of attacking the girl twice after an alcohol-fueled party in mid-August in Steubenville in far eastern Ohio. Three other students who witnessed the attack but were not charged are expected to testify at next month's trial.

DeWine said Wednesday the girl will testify whether the trial is closed or not. "She's doing OK," he said, when asked about his meeting with her.

"I just think it's the right thing to do under all the circumstances for it to be closed for her," DeWine said.

The lawyer for defendant Ma'Lik Richmond wants the trial closed out of concern that intense publicity and social media commentary could lead to witness intimidation. The attorney, Walter Madison, cited threats allegedly made by the hacker-activist group Anonymous to retaliate against people perceived as helping Richmond.

"If material witnesses are reluctant to testify, this will jeopardize Ma'Lik Richmond's constitutional rights to present a defense," Madison said in a Jan. 11 filing.

DeWine said he's not concerned about social media or Internet influence because the trial is being held before a judge.
"He's going to do what's right," DeWine said Wednesday.

[Duchess]

I read that the defense does not want her referred to as the victim, they want her known as the accuser.

[Sphincter Cop]

I read that the defense does not want her referred to as the victim, they want her known as the accuser.

Nothing like victimizing the "accuser" again. Typical......

Just knowing that they will refer to her as that; leads you to believe that the defense is going to try and smear here in the courtroom.

[username]

I hope the prosecutor doesn't refer to them as defendants...how about perpetrators? Or just rapists?

[heartbreaker6713]

Why wouldn't a victims identity (especially in a case of rape with a juvenile) not be already protected? I think the media and internet interest in this case is prompting this more than the angle they are proposing on behalf of the victim.

Ohio attorney general: Close Steubenville athletes' rape trial

By: ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS, AP

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The trial of two high school football players charged with raping a 16-year-old girl should be closed to the public to protect the victim, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said Wednesday.

DeWine, whose office is prosecuting the case, said he's met with the girl and she's "doing OK." He made his comments two days before a judge will rule on defense requests to delay, move and close the trial.

"We're dealing with a 16-year-old victim," DeWine said. "It's difficult enough for her to testify without testifying in front of the whole world."

The football players are accused of attacking the girl twice after an alcohol-fueled party in mid-August in Steubenville in far eastern Ohio. Three other students who witnessed the attack but were not charged are expected to testify at next month's trial.

DeWine said Wednesday the girl will testify whether the trial is closed or not. "She's doing OK," he said, when asked about his meeting with her.

"I just think it's the right thing to do under all the circumstances for it to be closed for her," DeWine said.

The lawyer for defendant Ma'Lik Richmond wants the trial closed out of concern that intense publicity and social media commentary could lead to witness intimidation. The attorney, Walter Madison, cited threats allegedly made by the hacker-activist group Anonymous to retaliate against people perceived as helping Richmond.

"If material witnesses are reluctant to testify, this will jeopardize Ma'Lik Richmond's constitutional rights to present a defense," Madison said in a Jan. 11 filing.

DeWine said he's not concerned about social media or Internet influence because the trial is being held before a judge.
"He's going to do what's right," DeWine said Wednesday.

When they talk about this it is because the court rooms are suppose to be open to the public for all types of crimes brought before the courts but then when they are saying it is going to be closed for this case that also means that they are going to close it to everyone now. If they are going to allow her family or only her immediate family members then that has to be made an exception as well as the suspects family members. The press will also make their pleas and cite their cases for being allowed their as well because they should be allowed to report on the case instead of being outside the courtroom doors according to them. The press will promise not to use the victim's name as they have already not done as the court's and the press have an agreement to do- i don't think that is a law by the way i think that is just an agreement or a sort of acknowledgement sort of thing they do. But even if this hadn't been blown up by the media because this had taken place at a party and/or she knew the people and they were acquaintances people may have been able to identify the victim by association which is just as bad, sometimes i almost think that maybe at that point newspapers shouldn't be able to identify the suspects in those situations, especially if they are still in school.

[heartbreaker6713]

I read that the defense does not want her referred to as the victim, they want her known as the accuser.

I heard that in the interview too and he stated he didn't like to use that word in reference to her because that means that something has happened. Yet he doesn't deny that his client was there, he doesn't deny his client is in the picture with the girl, and he doesn't deny that his client is holding the woman in the picture. So are you denying that those things took place but the other stuff didn't? He does say she's not passed out in the picture where she is being held by the wrists and ankles and is hanging there and looks to be unconscious, really? Something happened up to that point, and the video comments took place and that wasn't his client speaking (i don't believe, it's all confusing) however those comments didn't take place because something didn't happen... so would he like to call her a victim when he loses his case or maybe when he realizes he has a losing case and maybe pleads for his client and i wouldn't be surprised if somewhere there are going to be civil suits down the road somewhere! Don't get me wrong i do not like the word victim, to me it denotes weakness and vulnerability. But she is more than just an accuser at least in my eyes.

[imsuchawildflower]

I don't even believe that Nodianos didn't witness the rape. If the victim was assaulted and raped at several different locations, I'm willing to bet Nodianos was at least present during one of them. He's a shitty excuse for a human being, no amount of alcohol can be blamed for his disgusting rant and description of what happened. Unfortunately...with there being a lack of evidence due to negligence from the authorities...I don't feel at all certain that anyone else will be charged in this case. I hope I am wrong.

He clearly, in the video, references how dry her puss was...dry as the sun.
One wouldnt know that unless they touched it...he speaks about it as if he
did. In the first person.

[imsuchawildflower]

Im assuming the system there helped get them out of adult court in order
to be able to get their criminal records sealed and these kids out of the
juvenile system when they turn 18. Released with a "clean" sealed record
and able to join society on their 18^th birthdays.
They circumvented a loophole, and probably called in every favor they had
available to do so.