Charges Dropped Against Sacred Heart Lacrosse Players
19 Feb
Charges were dropped against three Sacred Heart University lacrosse players who were accused of sexual assault against a female student. Nicholas Travers, 18, of Smithtown, NY; Zachari Triner, 18, of Mansfield, MA., and Timothy Sanders, 19, of Ashburn, Va. had been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree sexual assault. Sanders was also charged with first-degree unlawful restraint.
The News Times of Connecticut reports:
“After a considerable review and investigation by the state, which included meeting several times with the complainant, the state concluded it would be unable to sustain its burden of proof as to essential elements of the crimes charged. As a result, the state entered nolles in the case,” Esposito said later.
All three men were suspended from the lacrosse team, and may now be considered to return to the field, pending a school decision. The three students issued an apology in the courtroom to the female student:
“I am extremely sorry for the embarrassing situation that I put you in,” Sanders told the female student, with whom he had a relationship. “I should have shown you more respect by keeping our evening private. I am sick that I have brought this much negative attention to you and to Sacred Heart University. My actions that night were immature and self-centered. I have learned as a result of this unfortunate incident to treat women with respect at all times. Please accept my sincere apology. I hope that if you are so inclined someday you can find it in your heart to forgive me and perhaps we can emerge from this as friends.”
Facing the girl, Triner told her:
“I’d like to say I’m sorry to you, to my family, my friends and Sacred Heart University. I’m sorry for all the embarrassment I’ve caused you as well as your family. I thought I was being funny at the time, but looking back it was the complete opposite and downright disrespectful. I have learned that my actions they can cause serious consequences not only for me, but for others as well and I’m sorry.”
Travers added:
“I’d just like to say I’m really sorry for everything you went through. That’s it.”
Who decided to turn what was a stupid college prank into a criminal case? And why did a DA decide to prosecute an admittedly stupid college prank as a criminal case?
Maybe one aspect of this event which ought to be further examined is whether or not an atmosphere has been created on campuses which encourage making sexual assault and rape accusations under any and all circumstances, whether warranted or not. (MOO)