Published: November 05, 2009 09:13 am      

Officers suspended during investigation

Assault claim made, later recanted

(Editor’s note: This story may contain graphic information some readers may find offensive.)

Three Richmond police officers remain suspended with pay until an internal investigation into physical and sexual misconduct allegations are complete.

Richmond Detective Brian Lafferty is investigating the case after a female recently told sheriff’s deputies that the three officers sexually and physically assaulted her at her apartment.

The female later recanted her story, and because charges have not yet been filed, the officer’s names are not being released.

Two of the officers’ suspension terms began Saturday, Oct. 31, and one officer was suspended Friday, Oct. 30, Brock said.

The case began Tuesday, Oct. 27 as an investigation of the Madison County Sheriff’s Department when a neighbor of the alleged victim contacted the sheriff’s office out of concern for her neighbor’s safety, said Madison County Sheriff Nelson O’Donnell.

The alleged victim was interviewed first at her residence, O’Donnell said, where she said the three officers sexually assaulted her.

She later met sheriff’s department investigators at Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center, where she refused a rape examination test.

She appeared to have bruises on her neck and a split lip, O’Donnell said.

“She and the three officers were interviewed the following day, at which time she changed her story from being forced at some point (into having intercourse) to everything being consensual,” O’Donnell said.

Her first story to sheriff’s deputies was that the sex began consensually, but then she became afraid, “... and from that time on, it was not (consensual),” O’Donnell said. “The next morning, she comes retracting her entire statement, and said the whole thing was consensual.”

The alleged victim’s conflicting allegations have changed the course of action for the sheriff’s department.

“If you don’t have a victim, you don’t have a case,” O’Donnell said. “It’s been thoroughly investigated. It’s one of the most bizarre cases I’ve ever dealt with.”

The internal investigation should be complete in seven to 10 days, Brock said.

“Detective Lafferty has some more people to interview and then, he has to reduce his findings to writing,” Brock said. “After Detective Lafferty completes and submits his report, I will review the findings with the city attorney and a determination will be made as to how the matter will proceed from there.”

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 624-6608.