Politico: Second woman who accused Fairfax of assault was subject of 2008 restraining order

[Empowerer]

This doesn't mean she's lying or that she wasn't assaulted by Fairfax. But is an example of why Fairfax is entitled to due process and not be treated as a rapist purely because someone said so.

Second woman who accused Fairfax of assault was subject of 2008 restraining order

A woman who alleged Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax raped her in college was accused of harassing and threatening a man she had a relationship with, according to Maryland court records.

The man sought and received a restraining order against Meredith Watson in July 2008, the records show.

In a petition for the restraining order, obtained by POLITICO, the man described an incident in which Watson “was detaining me against my will missing [and] not letting me leave” a vacation house in Corolla, North Carolina, and “dented the trunk” of his vehicle with her fist. In another instance, Watson showed up at his house stating “she was going to kill herself” and sent “threatening text messages” to the man, who had his sister come over to persuade her to leave, according to the document.
...

“I am going to enjoy tearing you down just as much as you enjoyed tearing me down. Hang on tight because you are in for a ride!” read one of the alleged text messages that the man transcribed on the petition.
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/12/justin-fairfax-virginia-1166298

[brush]

1. Hmmm? Sure is a lot of drama circling around her.

Makes one wonder about her credibility.

No more rushing to judgment, please, You never know what may come out.

[Blue_true]

4. Sure is. A thorough investigation is a minimum need.

Duke seem to be running it's own investigation of her claim of talking to a Dean about being raped by a basketball player.

[Demit]

2. That's very interesting. That adds complexity to this story, doesn't it?

[Blue_true]

5. Yes. nt

[uponit7771]

3. Sounds like an investigation is in order

[Empowerer]

7. Definitely

[redstateblues]

6. I'd say things have shifted into Fairfax's favor. Regardless of Ms. Watson's professional

credentials, her credibility has taken a significant hit. The money quote from the text that earned her a restraining order “I’m going to enjoy tearing you down”.

[EffieBlack]

8. So much for the "second credible allegation" ...

[oasis]

9. I had a feeling there was more to this story. nt

[EffieBlack]

11. There needs to be an investigation

[oasis]

12. "investigation" with the added bonus of an "education".

[EffieBlack]

14. What do you mean?

[oasis]

15. So many were rushing to judgement. There is much value

in waiting until more information is brought forward.

[EffieBlack]

16. I see - and agree completely

It was this second allegation is what prompted many to demand Fairfax's resignation because it was assumed that it showed a pattern that corroborated Dr. Tyson’s claim. If it turns out Ms. Watson lacks credibility, what do people do with that assumption?

[Baltimike]

10. There was also another allegation against a basketball player at Duke. nt

[napi21]

13. It's things like this that always keep me from rushing to judge anyone without proof.

I'm a woman and I know for years, women didn't come forward with complaints of unwanted sexual advances because nobody believed them, and THAT'S WRONG. But it's just as wrong to automatically believe the accusers without proof.

I had a weird feeling when a second accuser came forward about the Lt. Gov. My fear was that Repugs have been doing a lot of very nasty things to gain & keep power. Wouldn't it be easy to jump onto the Va. bandwagon to insure all the Dems in leadership can be booted out and put one of their side in! That may not be what occurred, but it's more important than ever to slow down and perform a thorough investigation on the Governor, the Lt> Governor & is it the 3rd in line the Va. AG who was also accused of criminal behavior? You have to admit it's very, very unusual that the top 3 leaders of any State or organization to all be criminals?

[bdamomma]

23. definitely

even Malcolm Nance commented on it on Bill Maher's show last Friday. Coincidental and planned I think he said.

[ecstatic]

17. Yikes! But in fairness,

Last edited Wed Feb 13, 2019, 07:20 AM - Edit history (1)

if her story is true, I can see how being raped twice in such a short span could lead to severe psychological issues and unhinged behavior.

[Hekate]

19. I actually knew a woman like that. She was young, politically ambitious, and as it turned out...

...rather dangerous to break up with. Before she left town she slashed all four tires on her ex-boyfriend's car. I hope none of her exes ever has had to defend himself against an accusation by her. She wasn't a Republican, in case you wondered -- my point is that she was not trustworthy solely because she is a woman.

We are in an era where one side --the GOP-- plays politics as a blood sport, the politics of personal destruction. "Dirty" hardly begins to describe it. When I see a state government that has just this cycle turned blue, and suddenly all three Dems at the top are in danger of being turfed out, I really want us all to stop and take a breath before turfing them out. Follow procedure. Investigate.

We are also in an era that can justifiably be called the New Puritanism -- at least on the Democratic side. The GOP doesn't give a rip, but is happy to use this against us. We are so very much at pains to believe any putative victim because of the wrongs of the past (and present) that we have taken to jumping too soon, before any investigation can be done. And, as I say, the GOP is only too happy to help us get rid of Democrats in office while keeping their own immune.

That's why I and a few others have been sounding the alarm about ratfcking. It's very very real.

[Beartracks]

20. Follow procedure. Investigate. Yes. n/t

[dlk]

21. Multiple Rapes Could Easily Push Someone Over the Edge

This newest revelation only further underscores the need for an investigation by a credible authority, one experienced with investigating sexual assault. Everyone deserves and is entitled to due process on both sides.

[Empowerer]

22. An investigation is all many of us have been asking for, only to get

attacked for calling women liars, not supporting victims, and worse. But this shows why a credible investigation is critical and why we can't assume someone is guilty of a terrible crime purely on the basis of an accusation.

[bdamomma]

24. Yes indeed

no matter what the accusation is, a full investigation is warranted. That procedure is totally being forgotten.

Due process of the law is being railroaded.