Midshipman Aquitted of Rape

[Lisa Steptoe]

WASHINGTON - A military jury on Thursday acquitted a former Naval Academy quarterback of raping a female midshipman in her dormitory room.

But jurors convicted Lamar S. Owens Jr. on charges of conduct unbecoming an officer and disobeying a lawful order.

"They have determined, obviously, that the consensual act took place," said Cmdr. John Maksym, the trial judge. He added that the jury of five Naval officers found that Owens "wrongfully entered the room without permission and wrongfully engaged in consensual sex."

Owens, standing at attention as the verdicts were read, showed no emotion. He remains free without bond. He was not allowed to graduate or receive a commission in May, and remains a midshipman.

Neither Owens' accuser nor her family were in court when the verdict was read.

The punishment phase will begin Friday morning. Prosecutors recommended a sentence of two years on the conduct unbecoming an officer charge. The judge tabled discussion of a sentence on the failure to obey a lawful order charge until Friday.

The judge also said he would consider to whether to set aside either of the charges.

Owens, 22, of Savannah, Ga., was charged an incident in the room of a female midshipman at the academy's Bancroft Hall on Jan. 29. Owens testified that the sexual encounter was consensual; his accuser testified that she repeatedly rejected his advances.

Owens was a team captain and starting quarterback for Navy last season, leading the team to an 8-4 record with victories over Army and Air Force, and a win over Colorado State in the Poinsettia Bowl.

[Lisa Steptoe]

From Darrell Peebles......

A Black potential oficer is a hot discussion topic even today. That the aura of rape is involved makes it a lightning rod for years to come. This will never go away from that young man's life. Without ever knowing the details, seems like he took advantage of a drunk woman, who in her stiupor, said yes, but didn't recall saying yes when she woke up. My 16 year daughter just relayed the story of one of her friends being in the exact same circumstances during a H.S. trip to Costa Rico. The man was a 35 yr old Costa Rican, the H.S girl was 18.

I seem to remember as a youth all the stories of kids saying, "Yeah man, I got her drunk, and it was easy! I'm afraid a generation or to or three have come up with the idea if the girl is drunk, and shows any inclination, its on. It's as if a bonus card just got used.

I don't understand the wrongful entering charge or even the conduct unbecoming an officer. If it was consentual, was it on off duty time? That point is moot. I don't need to understand it. She was drunk, and he wasn't playing it safe, whether she urged him or not.

Years, many many years ago, I rescued a drunken beautiful maiden from the arms of a lecherous type in a club, managed to find out where she lived, and took her to her home, helper her turn her key and led her to her bathroom for an unattractive moment. While I washed my hands, she took a shower, and appeared in the doorway nude, with an inviting smile.

I tucked her in, and she threw back the covers. Should I have left? Should I have stayed?

The next morning I returned her keys to her, which she had left in the outside door, which I shut locked when I departed. I had no phone number to call her and say where i put the keys. I rang the door bell, she answered, and i reminded her that I was the guy who brought her home, and handed her her keys. She didn't ask me if I had taken anything or such.

She invited me in, thanked me for helping her out, and then asked if we had "done anything". I should add this is the most physically stunning woman I'd met to that point. I was actually shocked that she wouldn't know.

I guess I'm thankful that I wasn't the one drunk, and could make clear decisions that night. If it is in your heart to be helpful, that is all you should be. Still, I can see first hand how difficult all the chain of events could be to figure out. This midshipman, who had to be a great decsion maker to lead his team as the quarterback, had a laspe of judgement that in all honesty was common. It may well be unbecoming of an officer, but I doubt it would be mcuh different in other officers, civilians of means or others with supposedly with high standards.

[Monica]

How do you get someone else drunk? Do you tie them down and pour the alcohol down their throat? Do you simply offer to buy them another drink? Why would you allow yourself in ANY situation to become so drunk as to not be in control of yourself. Women are not incapable of making rational decisions about how much they can safely drink. Comments such as "get her drunk so they can have sex with her" is such a belittling statement. Women are not the "ultimate victim" whose behavior needs to be constantly excused. If a rape did not occur, both midshipmen should be punished or neither should be punished for the rule infractions. Both parties involved are responsible for their own actions.

[Dude]

Any black male cadet should know anything they do will be amplified and under tighter scrutiny. The system is not set up to allow for indescretions of minorities. I lost several of my classmates because they let their thingy think for them. If you are a guy, the best advice is don't have sex on campus and if you can help it don't have sex with any service members. There's nothing but trouble for you.

[Chuck]

I totally agree with Monica's post. If the rape did not occur, then it was consensual. If it was consensual, then both parties should share responsibility for the rules infractions. Darrell's post, though well-intentioned, was just a little too smug for my taste.
However, on another post, I think it's a little extreme for minorities to disavow consensual relationships with other service members. Just know the rules, and follow them! Maintain Honor and use good Judgment, and everything will work itself out just fine.