The Daily Mining Gazette - Published: Thursday, April 12, 2007 Print Article | Close Window Verdict is in Mock Trial sheds light on sexual assault CAPTION: Kayla Gahagan/Daily Mining Gazette Above, Michigan Tech University students Amanda Burns, Melissa Kyllonen and Joe Dammel and right, Finlandia University student Corinne Czekaj participate in a mock sexual assault trial Wednesday evening. By KAYLA GAHAGAN, DMG Writer HOUGHTON — The jury said not guilty. He didn’t dance with her all night, slip the date rape drug GHB into her drink, drive her to her house and then rape her while she was unconscious. The jury was wrong this time. He did. It was the storyline of the fourth annual Sexual Assault Mock Trial hosted by Michigan Tech University, Finlandia University and Dial Help held at the Houghton High School Auditorium Wednesday evening. About 75 people showed up for the event in which three prosecuting representatives from Tech battled it out with five Finlandia defense representatives. At stake was the guilt or innocence of Joe Richards, the defendant who allegedly used a date rape drug to rape victim Melissa Stanton. “Since it’s fake, I’m OK with it,” Richards told the audience during a break about the acting. “It’s still kind of awkward.” Familiar faces also took to the stage to help the mock trial seem more real. Judge Tim Brennan presided over the courtroom and Houghton Police Department Chief John Donnelly served as bailiff. During arguments, the prosecution alleged that Richards was seen putting the drug into Stanton’s drink and that she was seen later stumbling, acting dizzy and throwing up, signs that GHB was in her system. But the defense countered that the same signs indicate drunkenness; they pointed out that she didn’t report the rape until 14 hours later and that she had to have been conscious enough on the drive to her house to give Richards directions. Local physician Mary Beth Hines took to the stand for the prosecution and testified that Stanton very well could have been given GHB and it could have been out of her system by the time she was tested. After the jury returned with the verdict and the audience was told Richard’s character actually did rape Stanton, Victim Services Coordinator Terry Sayatovich opened the floor up for questions and comments. She pointed out that just because a victim doesn’t report right away, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. “Sometimes it takes time to find the right person to report it to,” she said. “Even if it is a week, a month, a year later, it is never too late to come forward.” She reminded the audience that Dial Help advocates are available 24 hours a day with a variety of services and options available for victims. “And it’s always confidential,” she said. Besides getting the word out about Dial Help, the purpose of the event was also to educate. “We want to show what’s involved if somebody reports and goes through the system,” she said. “What are some of the questions they answer.” It also gives the community an opportunity to see what an offender goes through when accused of sexual assault. Hines said she agreed to participate because drugs like GHB are being used in the community. “It’s a worthwhile thing,” she said. “ ... We see a fair amount of (date rape) here. You think it’s only college students, but it’s younger and younger, high school and middle school students. They have to take precautions and protect themselves.” Tech student Kevin Schneider attended the event and was convinced that Richard was innocent because it didn’t make sense that Stanton could give Richards directions to her house if she says that she doesn’t even remember the ride there. He wasn’t alone. With the exception of one jury member, who changed her mind at the end, the entire jury said he was innocent. This time it wasn’t real, but all too often it is, Sayatovich reminded everyone. “Sexual assault is real,” she said. “It does happen. This is something real in our community.” Brennan joined her in thanking the actors who were willing to get up onstage. “It takes courage to get up and do that,” Brennan said. Kayla Gahagan can be reached at kgahagan@mininggazette.com