Schuette Statement On Jailing of Wayne County Rape Victim

Contact: John Sellek or Joy Yearout 517-373-8060

Agency: Attorney General

July 19, 2011

            LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette made the following statement after learning that a Wayne County rape victim was jailed and placed near her alleged attacker by a 36^th District Court judge following an emotional cross-examination by the defense during the criminal trial of her alleged attacker: 

            "I don't have words to express my outrage at how this victim was placed in a jail cell next to her alleged attacker.  Our constitution says crime victims have "the right to be treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process."  There is absolutely no excuse for treating a woman who has been abducted, kidnapped, repeatedly raped and brutally beaten in the same way as her alleged rapist.  This is precisely why I created a Crime Victim's Rights Advocate, and why I am committed to making sure there is a voice for victims in our state."

-30-