Air Force Drops Charges Against Officer Accused of Raping Academy Cadet

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA2MCUB4JD.html

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AP) - The Air Force has dropped sexual assault charges against an officer accused of raping an Air Force Academy cadet last year, but he still faces administrative punishment, his lawyer said Friday.

"We're pleased that the commander followed the advice of the investigating officer. We believe this is a fair and just outcome," said lawyer Frank Spinner.

If Second Lt. Ronen Segal had been convicted of the criminal charges, he could have faced a life sentence and dismissal from the Air Force. He still could be disciplined by the academy because he allegedly provided alcohol to the cadet, who was under age.

Segal, a 2002 Air Force Academy graduate assigned to the North American Aerospace Defense Command, was the second man associated with the academy to be charged with rape since February, when dozens of female cadets began coming forward to say they had been attacked.

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[Ilsa]

1. Rapist on active duty.

The good news is that he's been "outed".

[Superfly]

2. "Dropped" charges = not guilty

he is NOT a rapist. The good news here is that justice has been served.

[realFedUp]

3. I don't think these guys should be protected

Has anything good come from these hearings?

[Superfly]

4. It's good that he's being protected

from a false accusation.

[Pastiche423]

6. Where in the article

does it state that the accusation was false?

As I read it, he's being "protected" from the crime(s) he committed.

IMHO, the Air Force and many other military services are FUBAR!

[MaineDem]

5. Sad

Is it ok now cause the Air Force said to drop it? Can this woman take this to a civilian court?

I'm not presuming guilt but if the woman "came to" during sex, how was she able to consent?

[tuck]

7. heard the interview on npr?

there was a female cadet who said "well, i think these women need to take responsibility. if they don't get themselves into these situations, then they don't have to make up stories to make them look better."

i almost upchucked on my radio.

my point: i was in the military. they "take care of their own." just cuz he was cleared by the good ol' boys' officers club -- half of whom were prolly at the academy themselves -- is no indication that he's innocent.

i agree with the sentiment "if she came to during sex, how could she have given consent?"

[0007]

8. The good o' boys club

Exactly the same thing happened ten years ago. And it will happen again.

Thank you Mr. Allard.

[jody]

9. I agree Segal should have been court martialed and the facts would

have been known and if convicted he would have been given a proper sentence.

The article says "she had become friends with Segal when she was a freshman at the academy and he was a senior. She said she went to his home after he sent her an e-mail asking to get together."

Unstated is whether the two had engaged in sex on other occasions and whether the two were the only ones at Segal's home. In addition, Segal was not a member of the Academy and the incident was at his "Colorado Springs home". That suggests the incident was more properly a matter for civil authorities although the military also has jurisdiction under the UCMJ.

As a minimum, the investigating officer's report should be given to the press so that the public can be properly informed.