A community who gathered to help Charlie Rogers recover after the alleged hate crime, sounds-off over her arrest
Lincoln, NE -- The woman called "Rainbow Jane" is now charged with making false statements to police. Lincoln Police booked 33-year old Charlie Rogers in the Lancaster County Jail Tuesday afternoon. In July, Charlie Rogers' story made national headlines when she claimed masked men broke into her home and carved anti-gay slurs on her skin and tried to burn down her home. Lincoln Police claim her story is a hoax.
In June, thousands of people turned out to support the woman they called "Rainbow Jane", Tuesday's news of her arrest has stunned them all. Disbelief and outrage fill a community who came together for Charlie Rogers. Nathan Rotschafer organized several benefits to raise hundreds of dollars for Charlie. "I'm honestly shocked, just that somebody could do this to the community she was an activist in this community for years and to do this to the community that you fought so hard for if nothing you've set it back several years for the community that you were trying to push forward," said Rotschafer Tuesday afternoon.
Lincoln Police Chief Jim Peschong doesn't know why Charlie Rogers would report such a crime. "These are serious allegations that garnered national attention and spread fear among our local citizens," Chief Peschong said.
What investigators do know - Charlie Rogers' story doesn't add up. Court documents show she bought white knit gloves, zip ties, knife blades and a red utility knife from an Ace Hardware Store. Chief Peschong added, "UNMC found DNA evidence that matched Ms. Roger's inside the gloves that were left at the scene of the crime."
Rogers claims one man held her down, while another cut derogatory words into her arms and cut a cross into her chest. The evidence suggest otherwise. "The lines were too straight to be accomplished during a struggle, and the fact that the cuts were all in areas where the victim could have inflicted them herself," said the Chief.
Rogers then changed the story. She said her father cut the image into her chest, but she never reported it. Investigators questioned her father and he denied it.
Court documents say after the suspects cut Rogers, they rolled her over onto her stomach while she laid on top of her bed. Chief Peschong explained the bed didn't look disturbed. He said, "While the cuts produced some blood there was no blood present on the bed spread what-so-ever."
Chief Peschong said days before the alleged hate crime, Charlie posted this on her Facebook Wall: So maybe I am too idealistic but I believe way deep inside of me that we can make things better for everyone. I will be a catalyst, I will do what it takes, I will, watch me."
Rogers attorney Brett McArthur, wont comment on the evidence. He said, "I've found that a lot of times in cases there's a lot more to the evidence than just the blanket evidence or what you read in the arrest affidavit."
McArthur added that his client is innocent. "This is a very traumatic event being assaulted in this way and then having things turned on you and being accused of making something like this up it's been hard on her," McArthur said.
For all those people who raised money for her and held vigils, they mad. Adam Hart owns Hartland Tattoo. After the alleged hate crime he held a benefit for Charlie. Hart said over 60 people showed up to tattoo "No H8" on themselves. The event raised over $600 for Charlie's "Victims Fund" Hart said. Now he plans on getting the money back. Hart added, "She kick started this whole process by fabricating this story, she touched a lot of peoples hearts and let a lot of people care about her and care for her and try to help her you know. Little did we know we were being taken advantage of."
Beth Rigatuso is the President of Heartland Pride. She organized a candle light vigil at Memorial Park to speak-out about hate crimes. Hundreds of people showed up to donate money, and sign-up to help Charlie fix her home. "It's incredibly unfortunate and my heart does go out to Charlie in particularly if she is struggling with other issues that she is not dealing with," said Rigatuso.
Those who gave so freely of their time and money don't regret standing-up for those victims of hate crimes. Rigatuso added, "My plea I guess to the community is we came together in record numbers, it was a beautiful thing that we did and i hope that people do not diminish those efforts based on one person."
Chief Peschong encouraged Charlie Rogers and her attorney's to consider counseling.
Rogers is charged with misdemeanor of lying to police. If she is found guilty Rogers could spend a year behind bars.
As for the people who donated all the money, KMTV Action 3 News called those responsible for setting-up Charlie Rogers' Victims Fund and haven't heard back.
Reported By: Liz Dorland, ldorland@action3news.com
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar