01-24-2013, 03:25 PM
(01-23-2013, 06:08 PM)Sphincter Cop Wrote: 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.