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Attorney for Rollins’ Victims Said APD Knew About Serial RapesAlleges police department did nothing to stop attacksANCHORAGE - A jury last year convicted former Anchorage police officer Anthony Rollins of serial rape. More than a year later, his victims are locked in a battle with the municipality as they try to get answers as to why Rollins wasn't pulled off the streets sooner. And now an attorney for some of Rollins' victims said the police officer had raped many, many other women. And she said APD knew about the attacks and did nothing. "You cannot have consent with a gun to your head or a badge in your face, ladies and gentlemen. Tell these six women you heard them when they said no. Thank you," said Chief Assistant District Attorney Sharon Marshall during Rollins February 2011 trial. Last February an Anchorage jury agreed, and found Rollins guilty of sexually assaulting five of six women and abusing police power by using APSIN – the Alaska Public Safety Information Network – to stalk his victims. “I have trouble believing Rollins was the only one,” said Christine Schleuss, the attorney for Rollins’ victims. Schleuss represents five of Rollins' victims who are now suing the municipality and the Anchorage Police Department. “If a jury determined that a fair amount to attempt to compensate them was a million dollars, 10 million dollars, every one of them would tell you: I would not take the money if I could go back and have this not happen to me,” Schleuss said. The women declined to speak with us but told their stories on the stand. "I should have said, 'no.' I should have told him to stop. Like, I don't know. I really didn't feel like I could do anything,” one victim said on February 1, 2011. “Why did you feel like you couldn't do anything?” the district attorney asked. “Because he has so much power and he could, like, cause problems for me, I guess,” the victim said, crying. On February 2, 2011, another victim testified, crying, “He unzipped his pants and he took his thing out, he grabbed my hand, he took my hand and put it on himself. Schleuss said they aren't the only women to share the nightmare. “There were many more, many more,” she said. “I cant tell you how many there are – 20, 30,” Schleuss said. “I can't finish reading them all so I can't tell you… because how many transcripts of women who were raped can I read at one time?” In court documents, the municipality states it “did not have a legal duty to protect” the women from Rollins. The municipal attorney's office goes on to say the women's “injuries, if any, are the result of pre-existing conditions.” It also said the women “failed to mitigate damages.” Those are confusing claims that municipal attorney Dennis Wheeler refused to explain, saying Schleuss is “trying her case in the media.” But Schleuss said it's obvious to her what the city means. |
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Bob said on Friday, Mar 23 at 10:25 AM
This is exactly why people hate attorneys and they are single-handed ruining our justice system: "n court documents, the municipality states it “did not have a legal duty to protect” the women from Rollins. The municipal attorney's office goes on to say the women's “injuries, if any, are the result of pre-existing conditions.” It also said the women “failed to mitigate damages.” This police-officer was a predator, sickophant, and evil. Send him to jail for life. There he can sit and think about the women who did not " mitigate." I hope they get hundreds of millions of dollars. And yes, it is the public right to know. Not "tried in the media." As for the hired-gun attorney, who will sling-at-all cost defense for APD and the municipality; Don't let the truth get in the way of the defense, eh ? Hope they get tons of money. That is how we punish these days. And throw away the key. You have disgraced us all, as law enforcement.
85387774Spartacus said on Friday, Mar 23 at 10:53 AM
It's a shame to see the Municipality of Anchorage blaming rape victims for their attack. While that is typical in rape cases, it's still a shame. I would say that Denis Wheeler, and his boss, Dan Sullivan, should be ashamed of themselves. But clearly neither of them has a scrap of shame.
85390736l said on Friday, Mar 23 at 10:54 AM
If this occurs in pd's then what of those other officers that could be a threat to communities should tests be conducted by the federal government to see who qualifies for persons representing communities especially in the law enforcement as if there is criminals in those fields then I would think he isnt the only one
85390913Anonymous said on Friday, Mar 23 at 11:17 AM
So who is responsible to protect these women the police and who do they work for!!wheeler is an idiot!!
85393306Anonymous said on Friday, Mar 23 at 11:13 PM
the ABI is just as bad. there is a child rape case in the valley that Palmer DA ignored due to politics. so it does happen. all the time. that is what the court system is for. nothing like telling a judge about it. they will not be happy campers. and then if they are in the mood, they will pull a judge judy and say this is we do it. that is how the clean up begins in the police and law departments of alaska. worst in the nation.
85442604Alaskan said on Monday, Mar 26 at 11:55 AM
Ive seen and heard the Anch.P.D violate peoples rights both civil and constitutional; A military veteran gave me a first hand account of a APD officer who took aside and searched an african american in fairview. The veteran friend,from his apt. window,witnessed the officer take from this person, his drugs and cash, and left him his gun and went on his way. Leaving the drug dealer to go about his business and such.
85627286Anonymous said on Monday, Mar 26 at 1:42 PM
im not surprised by any of this... it is disgusting that any of the women are being blamed for the rapes, but isnt that old news? that's why so many sexual assaults go unreported, who wants to go through something so horrible and then have to 'defend' their entire lives because someone raped them? Regardless of what these womens past is... NO ONE deserves to be raped. But ofcourse the attorneys for the muni will try and cast shadows and do what ever they have to to fight a law suit... its their jobs to do just that, its a shame that the value of money comes before the values of people.
85636905angelonmyshoulder said on Friday, Apr 13 at 10:36 PM
In AK. alcohol offenders are required to have a red stripe on their I.D or license so that all will know that they cannot buy or possess booze. How about a similar (black) stripe for sex offenders? Every time they show I.D.---cashing a check, buying booze, stopped by cop, etc.---they will be known as a sex offender. It would be a deterrent. Also those around the offender would know and be able to warn others, example: the waitress in the bar could warn you that the person hitting on you is a sex offender, or when they get involved in say the PTA, they would know...recidvisim amongst sex offenders is what...90%... they currently have to register on a website, so this would not infringe on civil liberties I think. I have thought about this alot, some one out there please begin the process to make this a law. I don't know how or I would.
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