Special prosecutor to review rape accusations

By Bill Bowden

LOWELL — A special prosecutor will be appointed to review the case of three Arkansas Razorbacks basketball players accused by a woman of raping her at a University of Arkansas fraternity party Aug. 27.

Washington County Prosecutor John Threet requested the special prosecutor Sunday because John D. Bass of Fayetteville, attorney for the woman, accused his office of ethics violations.

Bass said there is a conflict of interest because former UA Athletic Director Frank Broyles is Threet’s stepfather-in-law. Also, Threet’s sister-in-law is married to Kevin Trainor, the UA’s associate athletic director for media relations and communications. Bass also argued that the entire investigation should not have been conducted by the UA Police Department.

Threet said his family connections had nothing to do with his decision not to file charges against the athletes. He said there was no evidence that the sexual activity at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house wasn’t consensual.

Bass filed a petition Oct. 27 in Washington County Circuit Court also requesting a special prosecutor, but Threet said the request would have dragged out for months because of the law Bass cited. So Threet filed his own request hoping to get the issue resolved sooner.

Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

Thank you for coming to the Web site of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. We're working to keep you informed with the latest breaking news.

Comments

To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Read our Terms of Use policy.

blackcat_artelco.com says...

Any time a woman cries rape the first thing to do is do a blood test for any drugs and the second thing is a rape kit. Determine if there was sexual activity then do a DNA test to find out who had intercourse with the woman. If all these things were done and the woman says the act was not consensual then you go to trial you don't let the university police handle the details, evidence, statements or anything else you turn it over to the state or city police departments. I do not doubt the accused are capable of rape especially if the victim had been slipped a rape drug or plied liberally with alcohol. As far as I am concerned if sex between two people not married is bad enough but if one (male or female) is semi con-sous then it is rape. If more than one male then definitely rape.

November 2, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Login to comment

If you are already registered, click here to LOGIN.
You can register for FREE to post comments and receive alerts.