Man faces trial on torture, rape and kidnapping charges in abduction of Whitmore Lake woman
A Sterling Heights man faces faces trial on nine counts, including torture, criminal sexual conduct and unlawful imprisonment after his former girlfriend's testimony in court Thursday, the Daily Press and Argus reported.
Through tears, the Whitmore Lake woman testified that Brandon Jay Smith, 23, cut her, kidnapped her and raped her during an hours-long ordeal that began New Year's Day outside the Olive Garden Restaurant in Livingston County's Green Oak Township, the newspaper reported.
Brandon Smith
Smith faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Smith is accused of driving the woman, who was 21 at the time of the assault to a remote location in Antrim County, where his mother had a camper trailer. Police said the area had experienced a significant accumulation of snow, and the temperature was bitterly cold.
Deputies from the Antrim County Sheriff's Department found Smith and the woman on the property in the early morning hours of Jan. 2.
Police said the woman was suffering from hypothermia and a severe cut that required surgery.
Comments
Dave66
Tue, Jun 22, 2010 : 7:21 a.m.
Ricebrnr is right. Moving to a secondary location is ALWAYS for the assailant's benefit. Never the victim's. As for restraining orders, go ahead and get one. After all, the assailant might kidnap, torture, and rape, but ignoring a court order? That's just going too far! Nobody would be *that* reckless.
tinkerbell
Fri, Jun 11, 2010 : 11:15 p.m.
Kudos to the victim for having the strength to stand up to her assailant
Ricebrnr
Fri, Jun 11, 2010 : 2:26 p.m.
I'd also like to add that one should NEVER EVER allow yourself to be moved to a secondary location. Better to fight for your life where you are, out in public, where you have a greater chance at timely assistance than to be taken to another secluded location to be victimized at your attacker's leisure. Again all due respect to the victim, this is not a disparagement of her choices. That she fought at all and survived shows her courage.
Ian
Fri, Jun 11, 2010 : 10:18 a.m.
"faces trial on nine counts, including torture, criminal sexual conduct and unlawful imprisonment." For a moment, I thought our federal government was on trial for Gitmo and other black prisons around the world. If true, very sorry to hear about the nightmare the victim went through.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Jun 11, 2010 : 9:07 a.m.
Ladies and all those at risk, please let this be a lesson that Orders of Protection can only protect you IF you can call for help and survive until help arrives. If you are at risk, seek counseling, attend personal protection courses and ACTIVELY look to your own safety. Good luck to all victims of crime including domestice violence and be safe out there.