[DV_listserv] Serial offenders
Domestic Violence issues
dv_listserv at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
Mon Aug 1 08:56:58 PDT 2016
- On October 10, 1978 Greta Rideout called the Salem Women's Crisis Service of Salem, Oregon to report she had been raped by her husband. The service advised her to call the police. The police were summoned on a call of abuse and the victim explained to them that her husband had raped her.
- Eight days later, John Rideout was indicted under Oregon's recently revised state rape law which did not hold an exemption for men accused of raping their wives. Under the old law, and the laws of 47 other states at the time, men could not legally rape their wives due to common law practices dating back to 17th century England.
- The trial, which took place during the week of Christmas 1978, lasted six days.
- The strategy of the defense was two-fold: They argued a rape did not occur because John Rideout was not aware of the change in law and felt he had a right to his wife based on common law, i.e., he did NOT deny it.
- The four men and eight women who made up the jury acquitted John Rideout because they did not feel there was ample evidence to support a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt.
Ø John Rideout was recently arrested and indicted for raping two women, one of whom was his girlfriend. Read details here:
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/crime/2016/07/29/marion-county-man-infamous-spousal-rape-trial-arrested-rape-charges/87713368/
Research is clear that most sexual assault/abuse perpetrators are serial perpetrators which is why it's so important for the criminal justice system to focus our attention and investigation on the offender and not just the (primary, reported) offense:
http://www.davidlisak.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf/WhyRapistsRunFree.pdf
Erin S. Greenawald
Sr. Assistant Attorney General | DA/LE Assistance| Criminal Justice Division
Oregon Department of Justice
2250 McGilchrist Street SE, Suite 100, Salem OR 97302
Main: 503.378.6347 | Desk: 503.934.2024 | Fax: 503.373.1937
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