Women testify in Air Force rape case at Texas base

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

By ANGELA K. BROWN Associated Press Writer
WICHITA FALLS, Texas — A woman testified Monday that a training group commander raped her at Sheppard Air Force Base and forced himself on her two other times, all as she was about to leave for the day.

But she said she was too afraid of losing her high-profile job to report Col. Samuel Lofton III, who is now charged with rape, four counts of indecent assault and two counts of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman — charges involving three women. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of up to life in prison.

"He had a lot of power," the civilian worker testified on the first day of Lofton's court-martial. "I didn't think there would be anyone who would believe me."

The Associated Press does not usually identify alleged victims of sex crimes.



Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5852494.html

[MadMaddie]

1. I am surprised the case even made it to court...we should

watch if the guy walks or not. Just because it gets to military court doesn't mean it will be a fair trial to the victims.

[qazplm]

4. trials are supposed to be fair

for defendants, not victims.

Trust me, the government has all the advantages in a military trial that they do in a civilian one. The guy might walk, he might not, but it will be based on the evidence and the beyond reasonable doubt standard.

[MadMaddie]

5. Unfortunately military trials over the last several years have not

turned out well for the victims. Hadetha....murders...there were clearly crimes and no US soldier or anyone in leadership was held accountable.

Rapes..in civilian courts are hard on the victims...military court is even worse. We are talking military culture that has been corrupted and twisted over the last several years.

Well all we can do is wait and see how it turns out.

[qazplm]

12. How many military trials have you seen?

why is military court "even worse."

Have you ever defended a soldier accused of rape? I have, multiple times.

You are making grand statements out of ignorance.

[jody]

15. What qazplm said. I've been a member of several court martial boards.

:thumbsup:

[atreides1]

16. That's Interesting

So tell us based on the evidence that is available on the Haditha case would you have acquitted the defendants too?

[jody]

20. I did not hear the evidence presented in the Haditha case. I'm wise enough not to speculate but

others may throw caution to the wind and join the :tinfoilhat: crowd.

Have a nice day, :hi:

[atreides1]

17. I've seen about 6 when I was in the Army.

It was your job to defend your client, wasn't it? What tactics did you use when it came to questioning the victim?

How many were acquitted? And of those that were found not guilty, was it because of the lack of evidence, or because to were able to make the victim look like a liar?

I'm not trying to slam you, just curious as to what tactics you used to get your clients acquitted?

[MadMaddie]

21. If rape did not happen in the military then why would there be

so many rape crisis centers to help women and sometimes men? Surely, the crisis centers have arisen for some purpose?

I did not say all soldiers are rapist so be clear on that.

But those that commit the act of rape feel pretty safe in their environment wouldn't you say?

Department of Veterans Affairs

http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/page.cfm?pg=23

and
http://www.feministing.com/archives/008919.html

and

http://www.veteransforamerica.org/woundedwarrior/military-women/


Are there innocent suspects absolutely and that's why they get lawyers as yourself to defend them.


I did serve as a Reservist, My father is retired Air Force, My Uncle is Retired Army, and one other Uncle was Killed in Vietnam.

So be careful about throwing the ignorant word towards those you don't know.

[Veronica.Franco]

2. MSNBC link has a picture of the perp ...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23118836/

I'd say he fancied himself quite a ladies man ... creep! ...

[ismnotwasm]

3. So sad

What a creep.

[Rage for Order]

6. Wow, they issued a guilty verdict already?

I missed that part of the story. Or has it come to the point that the mere accusation of rape now constitutes a finding of guilt? Also from the article:

But defense attorneys showed the military jury of seven men and two women several friendly business e-mails from the woman to Lofton after every alleged incident. In one she asks to meet with him, and in several she seems to joke around.

In one e-mail she sent last year the day after the alleged rape, the woman refers to a comment she made the previous day about mentoring and says, "I would be foolish to say I'm not interested in a promotion."

After Lofton was removed from the 82nd Training Group about a year ago amid evidence of financial wrongdoing, she signed an office card saying she admired his knowledge and appreciated his giving her the job.

"It is my prayer that you weather this storm with the caliber of character which lies within," she wrote.

But she testified that she was being sarcastic with her card message. She also said her tone remained friendly in the e-mails because although Lofton was not her direct supervisor, she worked with him and did not know who else might read them. She denied ever having a consensual relationship with Lofton.


edit for spelling

[Pastiche423]

7. WTF????

I am so glad I'll never see you in person.

Your post is sickenly disgusting.

[Rage for Order]

8. Why is it "sickenly (sic) disgusting"?

Because I afford the accused the presumption of innocence until it is proven otherwise in a court of law? If you consider that to be "sickeningly disgusting", then I'll take that as a compliment.

[Pastiche423]

9. My typo was not a compliment

I only wish I could say how I really feel about your sickingly disgusting comment.

No response is needed or wanted. I won't be able to read it anyhow.

[Rage for Order]

10. I'm truly saddened

Not that you've decided to put me on "ignore", but by the idea that you may one day end up on a jury. I bet you can tell when people are guilty just by looking at them, can't you? They just have that "guilty look" about them.

[Triana]

11. "charges involving three women"

Seems the guy had issues with keeping it in his pants at work. May not be illegal if he didn't rape or assault them but certainly is stupid professional behavior - that if accused of rape/assault - doesn't help him any.

[Skittles]

14. lol, 3

I can guarantee you that bastard has been abusing his authority in such a hideous fashion for DECADES

[Triana]

19. Grew up doing it no doubt. Those skills are honed from pre-teen years...

...and parents, of course.

[Skittles]

13. that colonel would no longer have knees if he did that to me

Skittles, ex-sergeant

[bean fidhleir]

18. I wonder what part his being Black played in his being publicly court-martialed

It seems odd that such a high percentage of "advertized" malefactors are non-dominant.

Or maybe it doesn't.