I'll be brief and let the media do its job. It seems 10 youths talked themselves into a home, gang raped a West Palm Beach mom and tortured her teen son; also forcing the son to participate in the sexual assault of his own mother. After the attack, they walked a mile to the hospital.
Some of the family members of these (I don't have a word for it)say their sons and grandsons are "good kids" who "couldn't have done it". Of course, two have been arrested, one has confessed, there's DNA. I can hear it now: "He's underage! He's poor! He had bad parenting".
Now, tell me, when you bash rape victims on blogs or stick up for the accused, how do you feel? Do these folks deserve your ire and victim blaming or perhaps a little dignity and grace and a moment where you thank God your family is safe? Or do you wish them health and recovery if it exists. This has NOTHING to do with me, but there are times when, as the survivor of a gang rape who knows who the names of her perpetrators, but is faced with a wall of silence of 40 now family men, that I bow my head in sadness and want to give up. I DO remember the gang rape. I DO remember the voices and cheers in the room. I am bent, but not broken. You let one of your brothers serve less than six months and you are back to your gin and tonics, your childrens' soccer games, your trading floors. But do you wish you had told the truth? Did you hear my screams? Does it still wake you up in the middle of the night as your daughters sleep down the hall?
I wish to God you Phi Kappa Psi witnesses would speak. I know each and every one of you who were interviewed and wouldn't talk to Police. Would it hurt to say something? Would it kill you to take 5 minutes and call the Charlottesville Police, giving my family some peace, just as you have? Your silence causes more pain than the event itself because it makes us believe we shouldn't trust our fellow man.
Sorry to be so emotional - this story is suffocating with it's horror and grief. Please, help these people.
4 comments:
Liz,
I don't know what else to say but, my thoughts and heart are with you. You are so strong, but sometimes it's hard to be. Just know that we hear you.
xo,
E
Liz,
This is awful. I understand completely how you feel. I would be INCENSED.
But what I don't understand, and I'm sure you probably can't talk about it- I know how these legal things go, but why can't they just compel them to talk?
I remember that cop on your dateline piece saying that there is no staute on felony crimes in VA which was how they nailed Bebe in the first place.
If the others were all interviewed, then somehow, someone, somewhere had to say something and give that information up for their names to be discovered or at least to be suspected of some involvement. I am sure they don't want to cooperate, but is there some law saying frat boys do not have to answer to police or cooperate in an investigation when they are suspects?
I mean why can't the police or the DA supbeana them with what they do know because these punks clearly know something about what happened. It's the police's job to interrogate them and get it out of them. If I were you, I'd be rip roaring pissed and that police chief and Da's phone would be ringing off the hook with me screaming. It must be so enraging.
I feel you frustration! Hang in there.
Michele
Well, so many answers to these questions.
I think the cops could have been harder on them. And, it's still "open", so there's time for it.
That said, if the police want to question you, you can refuse. You can lawyer up. One was hauled in front of Grand Jury and took the Fifth on every question. He's one of the "others".
One actually slammed the door in the Detective's face and wouldn't come out after said detective traveled to Annapolis.
So, the book accomplishes more than just a great read - it hopefully flushes out some more witnesses. Other than that, my frustration is obvious as we all feel as though they've put one over on us. But they haven't. I think living with that knowledge causes one to crack.
liz,
OH-MY-GOD! i am SO SORRY! i had been under the distinct impression that you were *totally* unconscious or asleep during the attack! i had no idea that guys were cheering on the attack, and that you heard those cheers! as if being attacked wasn't horrific enough!
jesus christ, i don't know who's worse: beebe or the guys who cheered and the other attackers on! they're ALL lowlifes! would they be cheering if their mothers or sisters were being attacked? or, today, if their daughters were being attacked?
no wonder the movie The Accused is so difficult for you to watch!
again, i'm SO SORRY!
*gives virtual hug to liz*
MARIO
Post a Comment