I am sure much will be made of William Beebe's "early" release on September 17 and I am posting this in response to the many questions we receive about how we feel regarding such an abbreviated sentence for such an aggregious crime. The Commonwealth, and our family, is happy to have gotten a conviction. Given the circumstances ("I apologize for having raped you...."), it doesn't seem difficult on the face of it. The truth of the matter is, once it was confirmed there were other sexual assaults committed that night, the sure thing case became harder to prove. Why? Because as the victim, I can only testify clearly to one rape. I have bits and pieces of the other two, but that is how rapists walk free - by drugging their prey. The University report even speaks of up to four assailants. Honestly, I am happy to go to my grave without the full memory of this night. What I do have is difficult enough to remember and relive.
This does not seem fair or right to most Americans - it just is. As far as the release date, I can tell you that Mike and I were told Beebe would serve from 10 to 14 months of his sentence. So, yes, the six months did indeed come as a surprise. We were also told he would never get bond, that he wouldn't fight extradition, so many things that never panned out. It will be spun many ways - no DA in his right mind dares tread on Nifong territory, or wants to make it look surprising - but it came to those in power as a surprise as well. At this point, I don't feel they have a right to opine on how Mike and I feel as we were simply going by what they had to tell us.
Like it or not, a computer spat out the release date for Mr. Beebe. We continue to support those going forward, that this case may shed some light on how we can be more merciful to those survivors who choose to go through the system. Regardless of the outcome of each particular case, you must live with it and move on.
Our non-profit website will be finished by the end of this week. We hope you'll help us help the many men, women and children whose lives are affected by this plague.
Be well.
1 comment:
Six months for a brutal rape. Wow. Talk about your quintessential slap on the wrist. What I don't understand is that the reason the prosecutors cut a plea bargain with Beebe in the first place was in exchange for information he would give to help identify the other rapists, yet he never gave such information. So why was he given such a sweetheart deal after all? Go figure.
Liz, I just hope that having brought Beebe to justice at all gives you closure, if not outright peace of mind.
Mario
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