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Posted on Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.

U-M student who said she was sexually assaulted by 4 men recants story

By Kyle Feldscher

The 18-year-old woman who told police early Sunday morning she was sexually assaulted by four men has recanted her story and could be charged with filing a false police report.

The University of Michigan student told police she made up the incident following a police investigation, according to a statement from Detective Lt. Robert Pfannes

“After a comprehensive investigation by the Ann Arbor Police Department, it has been determined that the incident did not occur,” Pfannes said. “The student has admitted to fabricating her report. The case will be sent to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office for review.”

University of Michigan officials sent out a campus crime alert Sunday stating four men approached the woman and dragged her into an alley on Hill Street between Church and Tappan streets. She alleged the men sexually assaulted her at 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

The woman had been drinking at two fraternity parties before the incident and friends at the second party had called a cab to take her home, according to police. However, she apparently got tired of waiting and decided to walk to a friend’s house.

The woman was treated at the University of Michigan Hospital, according to police.

There is no immediate timetable known for prosecutors to determine whether the student will be charged with filing a false police report.

Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.

Comments

Ashley

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 6:27 p.m.

the amount sexism occurring in the comments is disgusting. you have no idea what happened in this scenario or why the statement was recanted. refrain from making assumptions. bureaucracy exists.

Chris

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 7:23 p.m.

exactly. what is this yahoo! news ?

DennisP

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.

I understand the reluctance of some to call for prosecution. I agree that I don't think a prison term is warranted because it only entrenches this person into the criminal system and will cost the public. However, I do believe prosecution is appropriate along with some sort of plea agreement ending in the young lady getting treatment and staying out of trouble. Sometimes that is the only way to get the message out to others that this type of false reporting is a serious matter and warrants severe actions. This woman does two things: 1) she misdirects valuable resources with the possibility of false accusations and charges being laid on some innocent persons--that's extremely serious; and 2) she undermines the credibility of those women who do file reports of real assaults and attacks. That's an insidious and detrimental outcome of this type of deception. This has happened more than once here in the local area recently. Making false accusations of sexual assault is a very poor way to seek attention. Women who do so may have personal issues, but that doesn't exonerate the behavior nor mitigate it. As is said, if you commit the crime you should do the time. Well, maybe time in prison is overly harsh, but conviction, probation and mandatory treatment would be appropriate.

Chris

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 4:36 p.m.

I'm horrified by all the people on here saying "I knew it!" and "Didn't see that coming (eyeroll)" For as often as sexual assault actually happens how can anyone think this way?

hifromdiana

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 3:54 p.m.

I can't believe that no one is even considering the possibility that the survivor was coerced out of her accusation by campus police. I have seen this happen on campus before, particularly when alcohol is involved. Women are threatened with false reporting charges and other disciplinary action when they admit that they cannot remember every detail of the attack, and are then too scared to continue with the investigation. This woman was harangued by the public even before she recanted--and likely endured an invasive physical exam and hours of police questioning in the hours immediately after the attack. Why would anyone go through that if they were not assaulted? She has no motivation to make this up, and DPS has plenty of motivation to get her to recant--so that campus crime stats remain low. I have no additional information on this case beyond what has been made public, so I'm not making any accusations. However, it is really disheartening that no one else is even considering this a possibility. False rape reports are extremely rare. To the survivor--If you are reading these comments (I really hope you aren't), know that I believe you and I'm sorry.

Skyjockey43

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 6:27 p.m.

This is the problem with false rape accusations. Even when DNA evidence irrefutably exonerates the accused (Duke lacrosse case). There will always be people who claim "I believe her" So let me get this straight, according to this woman's own story, She was able to fight off four men who dragged her into an alley despite being intoxicated. Yet even though she recanted this ridiculous story, YOU believe it's more plausible that a vast law evil law enforcement cabal decided to conspire against this innocent victim by forcing her into recantation to smooth over crime statistics. You would have made a great juror at the O.J. Trial. As to your claim that false rape accusations are rare, I direct you to a study commissioned bt the National Institute of Justice which found that up to 25% of all rape claims are false. (https://www.ncjrs.gov/txtfiles/dnaevid.txt)

YpsiVeteran

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 5:42 p.m.

Lastly, you accuse "campus police" of having "plenty of motivation" to keep crime stats low, completely ignoring the fact that the article says Ann Arbor PD conducted the investigation. What motivation does AAPD have for refusing to investigate or suppressing evidence of a felony?

YpsiVeteran

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 5:36 p.m.

Your post also does an extreme disservice to area officers, who are saddled with the responsibility of getting at the truth. The great majority of police officers who end up conducting "hours of questioning" are well trained and quite adept at identifying the signs of real trauma in true victims of crime. No one with any time on the job would expect an assault victim to "remember every detail." Police officers understand that can result in very poor recall. It's never the inability to recall details that make stories suspicious; it's when "victims" can't keep their story straight, as is frequently the case when they are making things up.

YpsiVeteran

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 5:31 p.m.

Anyone who could even remotely try to pass off a statement like "False rape reports are extremely rare" in this county obviously has no idea of what they speak, and I'd be willing to bet money you work for Safehouse, an organization famous for pushing women to pursue charges they know are false. 8 or 9 out of every 10 reports of unwanted sexual contact made by college students around here end up being lies made up because somebody got drunk and then couldn't face their husband/boyfriend/father. They are also made up to avoid getting in trouble for missing finals and midterms, etc. These are facts I have first-hand knowledge of.

EyeHeartA2

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 4:50 p.m.

@liekkio "How do you know that, if you admittedly "have no additional information on this case beyond what has been made public"?" the same way she knows about the : "invasive physical exam" and the "hours of police questioning" She doesn't, but that doesn't stop the PC train.

liekkio

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 4:12 p.m.

Diane, you wrote: "She has no motivation to make this up". How do you know that, if you admittedly "have no additional information on this case beyond what has been made public"? "False rape reports are extremely rare" Unfortunately, they are not.

Nice in A2

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 4:11 p.m.

Very well put. Thank you.

Billy Bob Schwartz

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 1:56 p.m.

Just wanted to say that we really have no idea why she did this. I have come up with ten or twenty possibilities that would change the tone of this discussion completely. Just think about it. People seldom do such things as this without a tremendous pressure to do it. I hope they get to the bottom of this beyond the cry for justice (so-called) that so many here have engaged in. Judgment without the facts in not justice.

music to my ear

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 3:25 p.m.

attention. her past (even being young) is why? look kid go get help you seriously have some issues, wouldn't you think that BB.she does need help.

Chase Ingersoll

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 11:33 a.m.

Everyone, from law enforcement, hospital, reporter, commentors and comment moderators are put in a damned if you do, damned if you don't. And now, you have to make a public record that this person "cried wolf", but prosecution is only appropriate to the degree that it leverages her into psychiatric. To put things in perspective, at that age I recall driving a late night getaway car on behalf of two friends who were ringing the doorbells of sorority houses and then running away and jumping into the car when someone opened the door. The problem with this, other than the obvious, was that when the girls opened the door, my friends were relieving themselves on the door. Young people and alcohol - anything bad can and will happen.

PattyinYpsi

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 1:36 p.m.

TMI, Chase. TMI.

simone66

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 3:20 a.m.

I'm not surprised by this turn of events, that's why I didn't address this case when it was first reported. Meanwhile, many real victims are too scared or worse, feel ashamed to report their assaults.

Chris

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 5:09 p.m.

But on what basis were you not surprised?

Billy Bob Schwartz

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 1:39 a.m.

What great news! The fact that this woman was not raped is wonderful! Sometimes, we do get good news.

Skyjockey43

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 2:38 a.m.

No, it is not good news when someone fabricates a serious crime, wastes police resources, frightens the populace, trivializes the experience of those who have actually been raped, makes it more difficult for actual victims to come forward, and reinforces the stereotype that U of M students are drunken, selfish, narcissistic, irresponsible, and entitled, little brats with no integrity or decency.

genetracy

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 12:31 a.m.

Good thing she did not name names or The U of M could have had their very own Duke lacrosse fiasco.

EyeHeartA2

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 12:14 a.m.

Well, at least she 'fessed up, rather than continue the charade and get everyone in the area all wound up and afraid.

leezee

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 10:47 p.m.

I hate to say it, but I knew this story did not add up. She should be charged. I wonder if she feels any shame because this is the type of thing that makes people sometimes not take sexual assault victims seriously.

nickcarraweigh

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 10:36 p.m.

It's the best end to an ugly story we could have hoped for.

LaMusica

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 10:32 p.m.

While I am glad this woman wasn't actually assaulted, I am sad to hear it was made up. She has wasted a lot of time and resources reporting a serious crime like this. In my opinion, she should be charged with and handed the stiffest penalty allowed. Also...maybe she should talk to some actual victims and see that lying about something horrific like that isn't anything to lie about.

Em

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 10:31 p.m.

It's stories like this that make it more difficult for women who are truly raped to be taken as seriously as they should. What a shame.

Skyjockey43

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 10:19 p.m.

THIS is why I said ALLEGEDLY SEXUALLY ASSAULTED. Yes, contrary to current feminist dogma, women DO lie about rape from time to time. Again I direct you back to the Duke lacrosse rape hoax before you brand me as a rapist

Jen

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 4:42 p.m.

Only 4-6% of sexual assault cases are found to be based on false accusations. http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/cps/sexual_assault.html

GoNavy

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.

And people wonder why I asked, when the initial story was broken, whether or not the 18 year old was charged with either a MIP or open intoxication after admitting as much to the police (information which was released in the initial report).

LXIX

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 10:17 p.m.

Did the UM regents suddenly wave the legal drinking age on campus down to 18 ? I am so glad I that am not a woman. (thanks, I already know what the retort is). This seems to be a growing psych issue among women and it has occured here at least once before - and not by a teenage student, either. A no win situation for all except the criminal. Was her drink spiked ?

Macabre Sunset

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 9:39 p.m.

But she was so specific about her attackers. They all had brown hair. It's a shame this keeps happening. We should believe and support those who report crime. This doesn't help.

RJA

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 9:18 p.m.

I knew it, I just knew it! She should certainly be charged. It's not like our officers have time for this crap.

Billy

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 9:16 p.m.

"The 18-year-old woman who told police early Sunday morning she was sexually assaulted by four men has recanted her story and could be charged with filing a false police report." Not could....SHOULD.

rs

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.

This is how innocent people end up in prison. She should receive the same penalty that somebody else could have received because of her reckless accusations.

djacks24

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 8:55 p.m.

Wow...Did not see that coming (roll eyes'>').

stevek

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 8:52 p.m.

Gee, I am REALLY surprised. Called it from the start. Yes, please post her name like you do with the rest of the accused.

smokeblwr

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 8:22 p.m.

What is up with college kids falsely reporting crimes? The two fake beatdowns up at MSU now this!! Kids these days!

ThinkingOne

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.

I don't see why her name shouldn't be public now. The person filing a police report is usually identified EXCEPT when it was a crime of a sexual nature. Since this was not a crime of a sexual nature, wouldn't the exception already not apply?

Skyjockey43

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 10:25 p.m.

Good point smokeblwr. When a man is falsely accused of rape his name is immediately splashed on all news media. Let's see if the same standard is applied here. I won't hold my breath

smokeblwr

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 8:23 p.m.

Oh, and I hope as soon as she is charged her name is in AA.com like all other charged felons.

AL

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 8:20 p.m.

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(hbnfrv23wojzmrnhf1ecmxbo))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-750-411a Reporting a false felony is a serious crime. This behavior should not be accepted in our City. She should be charged to the full extent of the law.

Laura Jones

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.

I agree she should be punished, but prison is not the answer in Michigan with full prisons and no money. Probation and a record with mandatory counseling should do just fine.

Gerry

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 12:32 p.m.

She probably does need professional help, but a lot of crimes that deserve and receive punishment are committed by people who could use professional help. This is crying wolf, wasting resources, and could have ruined someone's life if they had been charged with her false accusations. She needs to be punished.

Silly Sally

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 11:43 a.m.

Not professional help, just justice bearing down on her, instead of a lifetime of being pampered and not suffering consequences for her actions. Let the buck stop in Ann Arbor for her. Some got this lesson as a 5 year old, not at age 18.

Laura Jones

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 : 1:54 a.m.

Sounds like she needs some professional help. Since our courts and prisons are full enough already, perhaps demanding treatment is a better idea.

LaMusica

Wed, Oct 10, 2012 : 10:27 p.m.

I agree, she wasted time and resources by making all this up, plus caused unnecessary worry and concern. I feel like we're hearing more and more of these cases, with people crying wolf...