Why second degree?

Why not kidnapping?

he will beat the rape charge and the school will hire him as rape counselor and give him about $50,000 a year salary.

What kind of family would produce this animal ?

It doesnt matter if she cut class or changed her mind. No or Stop means she wants it to end period.

It doesn't matter if she changed her mind. The moment that something becomes non-consensual it has to stop. It doesn't matter what the victim is wearing, what she drinks, or how many other people she has been involved with or sells sex to, or if she did a strip tease in the gym. Last time I checked, agreeing to cut class does not mean have sexual intercourse. Sexual assault is not about sex anyway it is about power and control. I assure you, coming forward and reporting rape takes a great deal of courage and the victim will be put on trial every day by judgmental people without ever having her name published in the paper. Think about what you write before you hit enter, if you think that whether the victim cut class or not is grounds for doubting her story, society has not moved forward in the last 50 years. As a crime victim she has a right to confidentiality. If someone has already been arrested, there must be a pretty good amount of physical evidence. Rape absolutely is very serious, and hopefully the message that rapists will be arrested and charged will encourage people to think twice before using sex as a weapon.

The only thing I wish someone will actually telling the truth especially the girl. That's a very serious accusation, and may ruin a young man's life over. Of course, if she did telling the truth with no hidden fact, then maybe there is some justice over the case.

His name was published as he was charged as an adult. As for the classroom, it was stated that they were walking the halls and he "pulled" her into the classroom, then blocked the door.

He is charged with Second degree rape, false imprisonment and second degree assault.

I am assuming that they will plea out the false imprisonment and second degree assault to go after him on the rape charge.

What would we do without a "Schools Spokesperson" ? By the way would the possessive apostrophe (if the grammar had been correct) be school's or schools' ? But I digress. Anyway, she wrote in her 'email': "Students are expected to be in class or lunch during the school day".
THX Ms Amani-Dove !!!!! SO glad our tax dollars pay for your brilliance !!!! Geez.

I love how people write in her assuming so many facts without evidence. You know NOTHING about this 14 year old girl and yet comments are made about it being possibly consensual, about her agreeing to cut class with a senior leading to her possibly wanting sex, etc. We aren't talking about a drunk adult in a foam pit in Spring Break. We are talking about a traumatized 14 year old child. Let's try to remember that she, her parents, her friends, may read what you are writing. Put aside your callousness and fund some compassion.

To Lisa Spofford. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Thank you to all who chose to use this forum for serious discussion of a horrible crime and tragedy, and not as yet another opportunity to spout misogyny and make tasteless jokes. My daughter attends that school. She has to walk into that classroom. Compassion and grace, ladies and gentlemen...

Need to get the violent thugs off the streets and out of our schools. They do not belong in a civilized community.

I know the girl who was raped, but my question is how do you not hear screams or rucus I mean she mmust of been not fighting back, maybe those details have not yet come out. Poor girl I feel so sorry for her

Lol true I am just saying I know the girl, I feel very sorry for what happened, I kniw rape is the worst crime ever, but I she doesnt seem to be a fight back. I mean I went to that school and I know how hard it is to cause trouble in that school and I find it hard to believe that no one noticed a rape going on if the classrooms are all next to each other, I'm confused 0_o

Sorry for my mispellings I suck at this touch screen phone key pad

To Derp.... Unfortunately, many victims don't scream out due to fear or humuliation or people running in the class seeing the whole incident. Victims just think it's going to stop soon. I know a person who was date raped in her dorm room on a college campus and she didn't report the rape until days later. She was just too embrassed to go forward, and she thought people would talk about her because she didn't fight hard enough or scream. She also let him in her room because he was cool and she liked him; however, when it came down to sex she said NO to him, and that was enough. Finally, after continued interviews with the defendant and local police he admitted she might have said stop. In the end, he was convicted. She is still not over this and this ruin her college experience. I cant imagine this happening at 14. She was 19 years old and is still in therapy 2 years later. SMH...Both families are hurting right now because of this incident.

So what your saying is people let themselves get raped due to emberassment of letting themselves get raped hmmm I'm not sure i understand.

We will hear both sides in court. My neighbors son in Harford County actually went through this same type of situation not even three months ago , his bail was set at $25,000. This students bail is set at $500,000.00 in Howard County. WOW.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/harford/belair/ph-ag-lori-granted-bail-1205-20121203,0,3936322.story

Our kids are growing up quicker in a fast paced society and I'm sure law enforcement will have the ability to pull up text messages, and other communication and friends from both individuals to see if there was any form of relationship there. How did these two know each other? I do hope the young lady is okay and safe but I do understand that there are two sides to every STORY.

H.R. Pufnstuf, your comments make me sick. One of my friends was raped in college and I saw how it destroyed her life. After witnessing this, I became a certified victims' advocate and helped victims of rape get their lives back in order. Have you ever been literally scared to death? That's what rape is like. Different people have different reactions to fear and perhaps this poor girl's was to freeze and not scream. Maybe he had his hand over her mouth. Maybe he threatened her. Who knows. Rape is horrifying and humiliating and the vast majority of all rapes go unreported for this very reason. To imply that agreeing to cut class also means consenting to being raped is beyond ridiculous and disgusting. And there is a HUGE difference between wanting to "make out" and wanting to have sex, especially at that age. Also, as another commenter pointed out, it DOES NOT matter if it started out as consensual. If she changed her mind at any point and said "no" or "stop" and he refused, it's still rape. What century are you living in, anyway? It takes a lot of courage to admit that you were raped and while there are cases where it’s been falsely reported, that is by far the exception and not the norm. I think you need to spend some time researching the word "consent." Pigs like you are part of the reason rape usually goes unreported. Let's just pray this poor girl can find a way to move on with her life.

derp

That is totally not what Im saying. Why would someone let themselves get raped? That was a horrible statement. I was just providing some reasons of why victims dont scream. I apologize to you if I did not explain my self well. I was also sharing a personal story of a friend.

Yes, there are two sides to every story, and it doesn't matter if they had a relationship... That's how date rate was introduced. Even in a relationship, sexual intercourse has to be AGREED upon from both partners.

They were in school in an unoccupied room ..... meaning there were students & teachers less than 30 feet away, if even that far, did she ever think to scream loudly? Any woman/girl being raped & violated would definitely scream especially with others close enough to hear her. His family probably has money & she wants a piece of it. Whether from him or from suing school board.

I think it's terrible how they published his name. Doesn't he have the right to a trial before being found guilty? If found innocent, this may ruin him for the rest of his life.

How about this revolutionary idea...all empty classrooms, choir rooms and such should be locked, Unless there is a teacher or other authorized person in a room, the doors should be locked. Let's not make this and any other crime or bullying easier by providing areas in the school with non-supervision. In my day, they even locked the restrooms while classes were in session to prevent that hideous crime....smoking in the boys' room.

TIme to remove the thug culture from our community. Drugs, guns, gangs, dysfunctional families, and violence again women are the results of a growing thug culture. Call on the County Executive to do more to remove the thugs.

The choir room is soundproofed. Nobody would've heard her screams.

Excuse me but I am a student at Wilde lake High School and I knew DeShawn and the alledged "victim" and I know for a fact that this story is sketchy. You side with the victim but you dont know her really. Did ever cross your mind that she could be one of the fast girls who lead on a guy and wanted to be with him but didnt get the ending she wanted and cried rape , ?? I knew the Victim she was an acquaintance of mine. She told me about how she liked DeShawn. I saw them after this alledged rape and she was totally fine I have class with her everyday. Me and my friend were walking in the hallway and we saw her throwing herself on him and he was telling her to chill I said Hi to him and we exchanged a few words and I went to class where the "victim" also reported on time and happy. She came over to my table she was laughing and was happy and fine. I think that this was consentual and she either 1. Got mad because he didn't wanna be in a relationship with her because he still has feelings for my cousin or 2. Got scared because maybe there was no protection and before she even wanted to find out if she was pregnant cried rape. DeShawn is not a monster that you are trying to make him seem. He is the nicest guy I know. Im not being naive cause maybe he couldve of done it. I wasnt in that room but the DeShawn I lnew was a great guy. So you may take sides with the "victim" but don't be so naive. You'd be so suprised if she was lying and you said these horrible things.

This is such a sensitive case and I don't want anyone to be so quick to judge him or her. Yes her name will remain a secret unless someone decides to squeal, because it is only fair to protect her as a victim. I am not saying his name should have been released either 17 or not they are both teens. I hope the best for her because we love her and I pray for his family as well because they must be going through a lot of pain too. Just know, it does not do either one of the families any good to fight each other because it is not your burden to bare. As adults let us be the example for our children and everyone else's because just as we are reading each others comments so are they. Believe me I know first hand.