OCR::/Vol_102/WLURG39_RTP_19991101/WLURG39_RTP_19991101_001.2.txt A och «~€’?>7‘8.'I55 ‘P I / /4. O1 ‘[{~3‘.£S2. V-I03: H0-I2. i¢_,¢,M_ .lf».$.?f.f" ° t“**"“ '72:: l.E'é3RAP.‘«’ \I’\.'.2:?--I . U ?\é :3/'ER.‘3lT‘-.I' ~ 1 tioi, —./A K«‘¥'~..« . Clip: fling-tum lfllii WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIvERsITv’s WEEKLY NEWSPAPER VOLUME 102, No.12 Senior charged with rape, sodomy Dorm counselor accused by Sweet Briar student in alleged January incident By Vanessa Chen S TA FF WRITER Washington and Lee University senior James McKnight was arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 19, after a female Sweet Briar College student alleged that he forcibly raped and sodomized her. McKnight serves as Washington and Lee assistant dorm counselor. The alleged incident took place in Graham-Lees Dormitory on Jan. 30 ofthis year when the female vic- tim was 18 years-old. Now 19, she reported the incident to the police earlier this month after privately un- dergoing counseling. According to Sergeant Wayne Straub, the inves- tigating officer, she now feels ready to testify against her alleged at- tacker. “Oftentimes, a victim doesn't come forward right away and that poses a problem for the police,” Straub said. Vicky Agnor, the victim/witness coordinator for the Lexington Com- monwealth Attorney, is working with the victim and believes this will be a difficult case because the vic- tim did not go to the hospital or the police right away. “It's not typical of a rape victim to go right to the police, but that’s what they need to do,” Agnor said. “It makes this case harder because there's no DNA evidence and it's been a while since the attack oc- curred.” In a case like this, it will be McKnight's word against the victim's. Janette Boyes-Ramos, a forensic nurse examiner at Stonewall Jackson Hospital, says that it's best for a vic- tim to go the hospital right away so the physical evidence can be pre- served. “After 72 hours, there's not much point in doing it,” Boyes-Ramos said. “But with rape trauma, a lot of times this doesn't happen.” Forcible rape and forcible sod- omy are felonies, each ofwhich car- ries the punishment of more than one year in prison. Sodomy is defined as oral and/or anal intercourse. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 16, but is subject to change and could be continued into December. There is a preliminary hearing any- time there is a felony charge and the victim must testify at it. Ifthejudge decides there is probable cause, it will go on to the grandjury in circuit court. The grand jury is a group of private citizens who hear evidence in the case and decide whether or not to return an indictment against the defendant. If the defendant is indicted, the case will go to trial and the defendant must plead guilty or not guilty at his arraignment. Dur- ing the trial, the plaintiff will be called to testify against the defen- dant. Agnor says that for the victim, telling her story at each stage ofthe judicial process will be the most dif- ficult task. “You have a defense attorney asking you lots of questions and we try to prepare them for that,” Agnor said. “We let them know it's going to get harder with every step of the process.” Usually, the defense attorney will bring the victim's character into question and try to establish doubt as to whether what occurred was rape or consensual sex. Straub agrees that this part of the court pro- cess is the hardest for the victim. “The way this [judicial] system’s set up, a lot of times the victim is victimized again by the system it- self,” Straub said. If McKnight is convicted of a felony, he could lose his ROTC scholarships and consequently have to repay the money. For McKnight, this would be approxi- mately $100,000 because he was on a full scholarship. Even if he is not convicted, just having felony charges on his record would seri- ously hinder the military career McKnight is intending to pursue. He would also face disciplinary action from the Student/Faculty Hearing Board at Washington and Lee Uni- versity. The Board of Trustees could postpone or withhold his degree if he is convicted. In the meantime, the victim is working on her case with Agnor and receiving counseling. McKnight de- clined to comment, but has already spoken to his hall about the incident and moved out of his dorm room. Dorm counselors Colin Tate and photo by Arne Kuhlman/The Trident I’M CRAZY NAPKIN HEAD: A student and his father enjoy lunch zogether during the weekend’s festivities. LEXINGTON, VIRGINIA 24450 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1999 photo by Emily Bames/Photo Editor MOM, DAD, THIS IS. . . Junior Bryant Adams and his parents talk with Professor of history Ted Delaney on the Lee House lawn during the parents’ luncheon on Saturday. Group to educate local youth Michael Crittenden will share re- sponsibility for McKnight's hall. His responsibilities as assistant head dorm counselor will be split among the other assistant heads. Straub is still investigating the incident and interviewing people. He wants to gather as much information as he can about the case in order to be fair to both sides. “I’m just trying to find out the truth and in this case, that's the hard- est thing,” Straub said. By Michael Crittenden NEWS EDITOR A new education group hopes to expand campus awareness and in- volvement in local schools and edu- cational issues. The yet-to-be-named group was started by junior Dan Birdwhistell and Live Drive back in the saddle again By Michael Crittenden NEWS EDITOR Picture this, you and your roommates have all been drinking out at your coun- try house on a Friday night and you really want to go see The Breakfast Club in town. Thinking that you are “okay” to drive, you grab your keys and head out the door. Instead of all piling into your car and making the long, drunken drive into town, however, you suddenly see a flier above the door with the num- ber 462-8 1 00, the number to Live Drive. That’s when you remember the history of students who have died in drunken- driving accidents, and the stiff penal- ties for getting caught. That’ s when you call. “Sometimes I really want to get into town and drive drunk,” said a junior who asked to remain anonymous. “Live Drive gives me a chance to not have to do that.” Live Drive is a Washington and Lee volunteer organization the provides sober drivers for students on Wednes- day, Friday and Saturday nights from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. Three or four stu- dent drivers take calls at the Live Drive number and pick up students around Rockbridge County and take them where they want to go. Organization president Christie Phillips said that sometimes stu- dents get a little ridiculous asking for rides, but for the most part students re- spect the student drivers. “We occasionally have people who will ask for a ride six or seven times a night, back and forth between places, just as a joke,” said Phillips. “Most stu- dents, however, appreciate the program and don't abuse it.” The current Live Drive program was started approximately four years ago by former student Charles Allen, said Phillips. When Allen graduated last year it fell to Phillips to take over and orga- nize the driving service. The transition of power was not as smooth as pos- sible said Phillips. This is why Live Drive wasn't available at the beginning of the year. “Charles [Allen] didn't leave me with much information to help me organize this,” Phillips said. “At the beginning of the year we didn't always have people driving, but now things are going well.” Live Drive is staffed by volunteers from the major campus organizations, such as the fraternities and sororities, who assign three or four drivers on their specified night. Drivers must provide their own cars for the evening, and are paid for gas at the end of the night. Ac- cording to some drivers, it is not that bad a way to spend an evening. “l’ve done before and it isn't that bad,”junior Dillon Whisler said. “This program saves students lives. It’s prob- ably one of the best programs this cam- pus has.” ‘ Drivers are each reimbursed for their time and gas at the end of the night. Phillips said that each driver receives five dollars from Live Drive’s limited budget. “Right now we have enough money to function for the year with the $1,900 the Executive Committee gave us,” Phillips said. “If we had more money we could make this program work a lot SEE ‘LIVE’ ON PAGE 2 sophomore Brooks Hickman as a fo- rum for educational discussions, and as an outlet for Washington and Lee students who want to volunteer their time for educational pursuits. “Our goal is three—fold. First, we want to discuss education reform is- sues; second, we want to increase tu- toring opportunities at local schools; and third, we are planning many ser- vice projects to do with the kids,” Birdwhistell said. Birdwhistell said that the main fo- cus of the group would be to orga- nize the numerous tutoring programs that already exist on campus. Accord- ing to Birdwhistell, there are many op- portunities available on campus, but they are widespread and not well or- ganized. “A lot oftimes, students only vol- unteer when they see a flier or hear about an opportunity from a friend,” Birdwhistell said. “We hope to act as a central clearinghouse for tutoring on campus, in order to increase in- volvement.” The other main focus of the group is going to be enrichment projects at local schools, according to freshman group member Jane Ledlie. Ledlie said that the projects will expand On tu- toring by involving students at local schools in activities they would not normally participate in. “We want to give students an op- portunity to learn and experience things they otherwise wouldn't be able to,” Ledlie said. “One idea we had was to take underprivileged stu- dents from local schools to the zoo in Washington DC.” Birdwhistell said other ideas in- cluded having Washington and Lee students act as college counselors for Rockbridge County High School stu- dents. W&L students would act as a resource for questions the high school students had about the appli- cation process, college essays and on choosing the right college. Initial response for the group has been quite positive said Birdwhistell and Ledlie. Birdwhistell said that one reason for this is the need for a group of this type on campus. “There is a void for people who are concerned with education issues that must be filled,” Birdwhistell said. “The Future Teachers of America (F.T.A.) is more career-oriented, and doesn't fill the service role that we hope to.” The F.T.A. is a student group fo- cused on academic and career issues for Washington and Lee students who are interested in teaching. W&L doesn't offer an education major, but interested students can receive their teaching certification through Mary SEE ‘EDUCATION’ ON PAGE 2 November 1, 1999 OPINION: W&LIFE: Mock Con and me SPORTS: LAST WORD: @112 ifiing-tum iflhi Swim coach questions EC Generals stun Parents’ Weekend crowd News according to McManemin PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 OCR::/Vol_102/WLURG39_RTP_19991101/WLURG39_RTP_19991101_002.2.txt PAGE 2 ‘EDUCATION’ from page 1""'-“" Baldwin College. F.T.A. member Erin Partridge said that she hopes the two groups can work in conjunction. “Because we (the F.T.A.) are academic-oriented, and the new education group is more service-oriented, the two groups should be able to help each other,” Partridge said. “I can definitely see us working together in the future.” Student interest was very positive at the education group’s first meeting said Birdwhistell. He said 30 stu- dents were at the meeting, and 20 more had called him about getting involved with tutoring or teaching oppor- tunities. He said the group members are very positive and that he is looking forward to a successful future for the group. “This is something Washington and Lee needs. We are going to consolidate the tutoring opportunities on campus and give students an even greater opportunity to give back to the local community. This is a college campus that’s resources in education go untapped be- cause there is no mechanism to encourage involvement. We hope to be that mechanism.” ‘LIVE’ from page 1 smoother, however.” Phillips said that Live Drive is going to apply for a grant that would give it enough money to expand its abil- ity to serve students. The new money could be used to pay drivers more money, and to buy much needed cellular phones for drivers. “The greatest problem with Live Drive is that once a driver is out on a run we have no way of reaching them,” Phillips said. “With cell phones we would be able to reach people while they were out driving and be much more efficient.” Many other schools have similar programs to Wash- ington and Lee's. The University of San Diego has a pro- gram where students can call for a taxi, and then the school will reimburse the taxi company for the fare. USD junior Luke Piepkom said that the program has helped him more than once. “I have thought about driving home before, afier I've been drinking, but I always remember to call a cab,” Piepkom said. “It’s stupid to drive drunk, but sometimes I need to get home. The program has probably saved my life.” With a number of students living off campus, drinking and driving is a major issue at Washington and Lee. Ac- cording to Phillips, students have to realize there is a bet- ter alternative. “People [at this school] think that because this is Lex- ington there is no need to worry about driving drunk. Well there is, and we don't need a fatality to prove it. Live Drive is here for the students, so use it.” RHYMES WIT». PIE Tastes like it, too — hot and creamy with vanilla, cinnamon and cloves. Try CHAI at our free tastings each Saturday in November, and take home a bottle at 20% off. llX.l,.N|]lflN r_.;‘.//.1.-.(/.'.....t-//4., an ESPRESSO - CAPPUCCINO FRESH ROASTED COFFEES - FINE TEAS 9 WEST WASHINGTON STREET LEXINGTON 0 464-6586 @112 Tiling-tum ifllli EWS Academic major nights to be held The first week in November, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, there will be academic peer mentoring done by the residence life staff. Almost all majors will be covered in one of the three nights. Monday is Sci- ence and C-school night, Tuesday is foreign languages, and Wednesday is humanities. Each major will have an approximately 20 minute talk, with a question and an- swer session at the end. All freshman and sophomores are encouraged to attend! Look for signs in the D—hall and on the residence halls for exact times. All meetings will be held in the C-School. Ifthere are any questions, please contact Sula Jacobs at x4490. Glasgow Endowment poetry reading The Glasgow Endowment is sponsoring a program on November 9th in bilingual poetry with readings by Lamont Prize winning poet, Marilyn Kacker, and French Poet Claire Malroux. It will be at 5pm in Northern Audi- torium on Tuesday, November 9th. PRIDE to host discussion On Tuesday evening (November 2, 1999) PRIDE (Pro- gramming for the Respect oflndividuals and Diversity in Education) will host a talk by Burr Datz concerning homosexuality and tolerance. An open discussion will follow. It will be held at 7:00 p.m. in Northern Audito- rium in the Leyburn Library. Flu vaccine available on campus The Student Health Center is offering the flu vac- cine for $5 to W&L students, faculty and staff and immediate family members (age 13 or over). The vac- cine can significantly reduce your chances of com- ing down with the flu this winter, and if it doesn’t offer complete protection, should lessen the sever- ity of the illness. 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To find out more — give us a call or visit our website 1 800 842-2776 NOVEMBER 1, 1999 A outbreaks are common on college campuses. Flu is most common in the U.S. from December through March so it is best to get vaccinated between Early October and mid-November. The vaccine will not give you the flu, because it‘ is a killed virus vaccine. It generally causes only mild side effects such as a sore or tender arms at the injection site, or possibly fever, chills, headache or muscle aches for 24 to 48 hours. People with a seri-g ous allergy to eggs should not take the vaccine, and anyone with a fever, acute respiratory or other ac- tive infection or illness should wait until they have recovered to get the vaccine. For more information visit the CDC web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/' vaccine/flu.htm. The flu vaccine will be available at the University Center from 1la.m. to 1 p.m. on No- vember 1, 2, 15 and 16 and December 6 and 7. 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