“The three 11-year-old girls told police this story: They were walking through a park on their way home from school when they were attacked by a man who threw one of them to the ground and began to tear off her blouse.” – quote in context
There’s just one problem. It never happened.
The three girls who made up the story of being attacked were afraid that they would get in trouble for being late to come home from school. They concocted a tale of a mysterious attacker and instant the police of their town swung into action – without a single item of evidence.
In May of 2003 the police arrested Eric Nordmark. He spent the 251 days in jail. Follow along on this. These three girls spend 7 months knowing that an innocent man was in jail… and they didn’t feel at all compelled to say anything at all. I am sure they got counseling about how horrible it must have been for them.
It wasn’t until the trial started in January of 2004 that one of them finally cracked and admitted that they had not told the truth.
What is the penalty for sending a man to prison for 7 months? Juvenile detention for as many as 45 days and 60 hours of community service. On the one hand it doesn’t seem like enough, and on the other I am surprised the got that much. In today’s climate I would have expected them to get a slap on the wrist and even more sympathy for the harrowing ordeal.
“Kids are kids. Kids do bonehead things,” said Nordmark, who is now staying with friends in Seattle. “If the police had done their job right, this wouldn’t have happened.” – quote in context
Eric is right, the police are to blame here. We live in a time when no substantiation or evidence is needed, when no corroboration is required and guilt is assumed. However Eric is wrong to let the girls off so lightly.
Maybe it is time to let people know that there is something inherently wrong with accusing others for your own gain. This is not the first time that false rape allegations have come from “little girls” to avoid punishment. How many men, strangers and family members alike, are spending time in jail to serve the purposes of a child who is covering their ass or just angry at not getting a pony for their birthday?
If only there was some way to make things more accurate in the justice system. oh wait I know! I think I remember you used to need something called evidence…
p.s. obviously it is mens fault