MARKET WATCH COLUMNIST
“False Accuser Faces Facts,” Ellis Henican Column, Newsday, September 29, 2009
She isn’t being charged with any crime.
But is the woman in the Hofstra rape-allegation case actually getting a sterner dose of justice in the deal she cut on Friday with the Nassau district attorney’s office? District Attorney Kathleen Rice says so.
Danmell Ndonye now admits she wasn’t raped at all. She says that she had consensual sexual contact with four young men in a dorm bathroom – and didn’t have any sexual contact with student Rondell Bedward. Until she recanted to Nassau prosecutors, all five faced up to 25 years behind bars.
Besides publicly admitting she lied, she promises to get some therapy and do 250 hours of community service.
“There exists no perfect solution to this case,” Rice said at week’s end. “Only our best attempt at holding her accountable while encouraging real victims to come forward and accusers to tell the truth so that we can avoid incarcerating an innocent person.”
Not arresting Ndonye, Rice said, “is the only way we guarantee that this woman gets the help that she needs and is held publicly accountable for what she’s done.”
Even if the young woman were charged, Rice added, state law only allows for a misdemeanor.
Is New York law really that weak?
A person can accuse another of a horrible felony without facing any serious charge? Maybe that’s where this discussion should turn next.
connections
We put extraordinary power in the hands of people who say they are crime victims. But clearly, too many innocent people are still arrested, charged and jailed on the strength of one’s person’s lie.
This time, the “victim” recanted after three days. Here’s hoping the next time it isn’t 25 years.
BEAUTY SUPPLY
1.Shampoo
2. Conditioner
3. Make-up remover
4. Nail polish
5. WMDs
JOB LEAD: Homegrown LI businessman A.J. Caro (Smithtown via West Islip) says, even in this economy, he’s still hiring – across a variety of industries. His Arrow Security, Central Insurance, Bridge Business & Property Brokers, Community Companions and Strategic Nurse Staffing all need good people. “Times like these demand companies be focused and flexible,” A.J. says. “We’re still growing and plan to continue.” His next projects? A business self-assessment checklist and a financial analysis of the Catholic Church.
ELLIS’ BOOK CLUB: From the bayou with love. Acclaimed Louisiana chef (and fast-rising Food Network star) John Besh was being feted on Park Avenue the other night for his coffee-table cookbook, “My New Orleans.” But the down-to-earth Besh barely had time to mix with Danny Meyer, Brooke Kroeger, Randy Fertel, Bernadette Murray and other NY tastemakers. He spent most of the night at the portable stove prepping shrimp-and-grits and other modern Creole delights. No one complained.
ASKED AND UNANSWERED: Does alleged terror plotter Najibullah Zazi look to you like a mani, pedi, beauty-bar kind of guy? . . . Kate Murray seems to believe Charles Wang will never move his Islanders off the Island? Is she right? Eight other cities aren’t so sure. . . . Any promising proposals for WLIU? Weren’t bids due Wednesday? Anxious listeners want to know. . . . Quick show of hands: Who’s surprised that alleged Hauppauge Ponzi schemer Nick Cosmo is accused of violating his bail conditions? . . . Did other reporters even read Jerry Capeci’s gangland.com scoop about private eye Bo Dietl? Or did they just copy, confusing the basic facts? . . . If Olympic track star (and West Hempstead guy) Derrick Adkins is really so fast, how did the cops catch him? Oh, right. The charge was DWI – not RWI.
Related posts
Dear Mr. Henican,
I respect your clear articulation of your position regarding the Hofstra case. I sympathize with your frustration that an individual can make false accusations resulting in such grave consequences and receive such a light penalty. Your thoughts open the door to a deeper discussion of how criminal sentencing should be determined, what factors are relevant and should be considered in meting out an appropriate punishment. For example, should the REAL damage or the POTENTIAL damage caused by the crime be more important in deciding the sentence? What about more abstract consequences, such as harm done to the reputation of the victim(s)? Or, should sentencing depend merely upon the nature of the offense and the criminal record of the perpetrator and the consequences not be considered at all?