Florida cops told woman she would be ‘made miserable’ if she pursued rape charges against athlete.

[RandySF]

Police in football-mad Tallahassee, Florida, told a woman who accused Florida State’s quarterback of sexual assault that her life would “be made miserable” if she pursued charges against the star player.

An attorney for the woman and her family released a statement Wednesday about the detective’s comments in connection with the investigation of Heisman Trophy candidate Jameis Winston.

“When the attorney contacted Detective (Scott) Angulo immediately after Winston was identified, Detective Angulo told the attorney that Tallahassee was a big football town and the victim needs to think long and hard before proceeding against him because she will be raked over the coals and her life will be made miserable,” the family said.

The 19-year-old Winston has not been charged with a crime and his attorney has denied any wrongdoing by the player.



http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/21/cops-told-woman-her-life-would-be-made-miserable-if-she-pursued-rape-charges-against-florida-state-star-attorney-says/

[mythology]

1. If true, the cop(s) who said this

should be fired and then promptly arrested for witness intimidation and interfering with an investigation.

[RKP5637]

4. Exactly. Some cops are really evil F's. n/t

[BlueJazz]

2. Words that I can't say on DU.

[NuclearDem]

3. No such thing as rape culture, right?

[YOHABLO]

5. College Football is everything to these people down there .. they have a point.

Don't mess with star athletes .. unless you're planning to leave town.

[seabeyond]

6. I beg your pardon. Are you suggesting football players rape at will?

[bettyellen]

7. they have obligation to help stop criminals. WTF are you suggesting?

[mythology]

8. All the more reason for the police to not suck

They aren't supposed to tell a potential victim (especially not a rape victim) to not proceed with charges.

The police shouldn't be in the business of protecting the powerful from the non-powerful.

[gollygee]

12. You think it's appropriate for the police to talk crime victims

out of pressing charges for crimes? Or is this just applicable if the crime is rape?

[BlueCheese]

9. I hope the cop was stating a belief and not issuing a threat.

As in just trying to prepare the victim for what to expect from the community, not saying that the cops would make her life miserable.

Even so, probably not a good thing for law enforcement to say.

[Egnever]

10. So the cops told her the truth..

It's not right, but likely totally true. Or did we forget this already....
http://www.businessinsider.com/maryville-rape-case-coleman-family-driven-out-town-2013-10

[freshwest]

11. Inconvenient truth - but I think she was hoping for protection from the police. They can't give it.

I know that football is a money maker in some areas and they don't take to anyone who interferes with the money flow. There is nothing of morals or legality involved - just money and power and for some, their living. it's sick that it's been elevated above the law. Hope the young lady is kept safe.

[niyad]

13. the victim-blaming comments after that article were, sad to say, not surprising, but still,

absolutely disgusting, and sounded all-too-familiar. (and clearly, with some of them, reading comprehension is not one of their strong points)