<p>Not really much new, just a little different detail on same general info. I'll quote a few passages:</p>
<p>Why dont you call my dad and tell him you raped his daughter? she asked him over the phone.</p>
<p>Owens, a midshipman first class, repeatedly told her hes sorry and that he wanted to kill himself.</p>
<p>I cant expect you to ever forgive me, he said. </p>
<p>The conversation between the female midshipman and Owens was recorded Feb. 8 by a Naval Criminal Investigation Service agent assigned to the Naval Academy. </p>
<p>In the aftermath, in the tapped phone call, the female midshipman said she needed to know whether Owens had worn a condom. </p>
<p>He had not. </p>
<p>What were you thinking? she asked.</p>
<p>On the tape, Owens is heard asking whether shed gone to the police. He told her he wanted to kill himself. He said he was sorry.</p>
<p>I apologize. I really apologize, Owens said. </p>
<p>You werent even awake, he said on the tape. I stopped.</p>
<p>
[quote]
** In more than two hours of testimony, during which the woman never lost composure or broke down, she described Owens as an acquaintance to whom she said hello on occasion and had communicated with by instant message in the past. Several times, he complimented her looks, she said, including in one text message she didn't respond to in early January where he allegedly wrote: "You were looking good tonight."
[/quote]
**</p>
<p>so is her official boyfriend a Midshipman also????</p>
<p>
[quote]
** She said she immediately sent a text message to the cell phone of her boyfriend, a junior. He testified that he came to her room after she sent two messages and found her curled into a fetal position on her bed, crying uncontrollably at times.</p>
<p>The boyfriend described how he eventually calmed her down. "I think I've been raped," he said she told him. Then, when he asked who had raped her, she said she was scared to tell him but then identified Owens.
<p>Wow this is uglier than any of the earlier speculations here on CC. I thought perhaps folks were wildly speculating but she has a boyfriend who is a mid and this is very graphic languge on the part of Owens........ugly. Her responses about consent are interesting.......is she striving to appear uncoached or does she still not know what she believes? She might have, she couldn't have, she doesn't think she did...very unclear.</p>
<p>The delay until April for the next hearing seems to be for gathering evidence from his/her computers. Both for signs of messaging between the two parties and some more timing of events evidence maybe. Also, I think they will be scanning his computer for evidence of downloading the porn on his computer over the institutes network connection. My guess is they have to prove he didn't get them by some other means because technically, he owns the computer so the only infraction I think is using government resources (internet connection) to obtain the porn images.</p>
<p>Damn ugly.</p>
<p>It does look like, unless they find evidence incriminating the defendant of instigating or other foul play, she deserves exoneration, except of course for the under age alcohol consumption and it's under-pinnings.</p>
<p>Her "memory" could definitely be an issue, but I think his acknowlegement that she was asleep (faked or not) is key incriminating evidence that will lock in his guilt.</p>
<p>The computer data and other investigation will need to prove there was pre-existing similar sexual (dating or otherwise) behavior between them to get him off the hook for the full "rape" charge. The new military law which expands the definition of "rape" to include "date" rape and other similar rapes does not go into effect until next year, so it is critical for the defense to show no prior solicitation or similar sexual contact (that would have made sex while sleeping less of an offense under the old law) to make the hard rape charge stand.</p>
<p>Unless substantial new data comes forward on this.....I guess that he will go to court martial, do some time in a military prison and be dishonorably discharged. They can't just kick him out if they find him guilty of rape under existing military law, IMHO.</p>
<p>Zaphod,
As much as I agree with you....I think the time has come to make an example of Owens and take the heat which results. The best way for USNA to kick this kind of behavior is to nip it in the "current" bud. A full trial and prosecution will help future mids keep it in their pants and will go a long way in shoring up the current/future reputation of USNA. They need to take the media blow now and save up for the future.</p>
<p>I think they have to kick her out ultimately, but it would be prudent for the trial to end first. Of course if they have other than a zero tolerance official stance on under age alcohol consumption among mids (warnings or other punitive actions are taken routinely among mids to discourage but not separate for first offense, etc), then she has full rights to remain and take the punishment that is appropriate for the offense as commensurate with current policy and practice. One way or the other, I think she will also have to be made and example, of what not to do. Unfortunate, but likely harsh reality.</p>
<p>My hunch is that she will volutarily separate at some point.</p>
<p>As I understand it, because the offense took place on academy grounds, it is solely Navy juristiction. It would not make sense for them to pass the buck to civilian athorities because her case would be hurt by the transfer of evidence. The Navy should finish the job if they want to come out looking like they are on top of things at USNA!</p>
<p>As far as separating first, prosecuting later...that seems to blow away the "inocent until proven guilty" theory. USNA will just have to wait until they finish the job!</p>
<p>Just because they are separated doesn't mean they have to leave the Navy. They can be separated (and they should be, if only for violating any number of MIDREGS), and made enlistedmen. Then they (he) can be tried under the UCMJ.</p>
<p>Civilian authorities have nothing to do with this.</p>
<p>Yes, I agree...
But I think there is merit in the USNA owning this case from start to finish. The rest is really just details, but I think image is particularly important this time with such a high profile accused.</p>
<p>So help the commoner out here. They are separated and thus will not be graduates? Are they then compelled to pay back? Are they compelled to serve out their commitment but as enlisted grunts? It is such a pity that they both used such poor judgement.......and then as you say caused a rain of guanno to come on the academy. What was Owen thinking when he spoke with her after the fact? I cannot imagine that.</p>
<p>
[quote]
she needs to be separated for underage drinking.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Why does the phrase "sanctimonious misogynist" keep coming to mind? </p>
<p>By equating her drinking to his raping some posters here are confirming to the CC world a very bad picture of the military's attitude towards women.</p>
<p>
[quote]
By equating her drinking to his raping some posters here are confirming to the CC world a very bad picture of the military's attitude towards women.
[/quote]
B.S. no one on this board has "equated" those offenses to the same punishment! I haven't seen any requests for trials or prison time for the lady involved....how is it that you have this notion. Been half reading here??? Get real.</p>
<p>As I Have Said Before....making A Judgement Before The Trial Has Happened Is Completely Wrong! Not One Of You Knows Exactly What Happened...the Papers Can Print Faulty Or Incomplete Information, Therefore They Are Not Always Trustworthy. You Are Helping To Spread False Information By Posting Your Opinions On This Message Board Without Having The Full Knowledge Of This Case....have Some Moral Responsibility (especially The Parents) To Restrain Yourselfs From Posting Your Opinions...let The Investigation And Trials Play Out And Then You Can State Your Opinions Afterwards. Injuring Someones Reputation Is Something That Cannot Be Taken Back, So Don't Help To Spread Rumors!</p>
<p>If You Were In A Predicament (hopefully, Never), You Wouldn't Want People To Pre-judge You!</p>
<p>Drop The Topic And Move On For Now!</p>
<p>Yes This Is A Free Country And You Can Speak Your Mind, But It Is Morally Wrong To Injure Someone's Reputation By Pre-judgements--that Goes Both Ways In This Case.</p>
<p>Welcome to CC world, where logic and the Constitution are regularly suspended. Sort of like the twilight zone, a place in time and space where all sorts of outrageous statements may be made without fear of looking [although you may sound] like a complete buffoon.</p>
<p>are you kidding me? kicking people out for underage drinking? are we talking about the same academy?! ONE offense is NOT going to get her kicked out. TRUST ME, my company had one very nearly fatal incident with underage drinking....no talk of separation.</p>