Former University of Montana quarterback acquitted of rape
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Jurors deliberated for more than two hours Friday before acquitting a former University of Montana quarterback in a rape trial that has played out amid NCAA and federal investigations into how the city and school respond to rape allegations on campus.
Jordan Johnson and his attorney David Paoli both cried after the verdict was announced, and cheers erupted from the area where the defendant's family was sitting in the packed courtroom.
The accusations against Johnson, 20, have drawn much attention in Montana, where UM football is the top sports attraction. Johnson led the school to a successful 2011 season as starting quarterback before being accused of assaulting a woman while watching a movie with her at her home last year.
His case has unfolded against a backdrop of NCAA and federal investigations of the university's athletic department and the manner in which rape allegations are handled on campus, investigated by police and prosecuted by the Missoula County attorney's office.
The situation left some worried that the highly successful football team was out of control off the field.
In closing statements Friday, Assistant Attorney General Joel Thompson told jurors that the accuser "has had to crawl through a proverbial tunnel of sewage" to see the case through to trial because she wanted accountability, the Missoulian reported. He alleged Johnson maliciously assaulted his client, resulting in psychological damage.
The female student testified that she and Johnson were kissing at her home last February when his demeanor changed and he held her down and raped her, despite her protests.
Witnesses testified that she was pale and shaking, and that she cried uncontrollably after driving Johnson back to his house.
But Johnson told jurors the sex was consensual and that the woman enjoyed it. He testified that she asked him if he had a condom and when he said he didn't, she told him that was OK. He said she never said "no," and he would have stopped if she had.
The defense argued the woman became upset and sought vengeance after Johnson got up without any cuddling and didn't talk to her other than to say, "Well, thanks," when she dropped him off at his house.
After the verdict was read, Johnson hugged his attorneys and then his large group of supporters in the courtroom.
Asked for comment, Paoli said: "Feel wonderful. Very happy."
Those in attendance Friday included Montana football players, coach Mick Delaney and former athletic director Jim O'Day.
Johnson, who is from the Eugene, Ore., area, was briefly suspended from the football team when the allegations surfaced. He was then kicked off the team under the school's student-athlete conduct code, after the felony charge of sexual intercourse without consent was filed against him in July. He has remained in school.
UM athletic director Kent Haslam said Friday student-athletes can appeal their suspension if there is a change in the circumstances that led to it. Johnson's acquittal would qualify as such a change. Haslam said he has not talked with Johnson about whether he would appeal.
Johnson's trial began with jury selection Feb. 8. District Judge Karen Townsend initially called 400 potential jurors for the high-profile case and eventually seated 12 with five alternates.
Concerns about the handling of sexual assault cases peaked in December 2011, when UM President Royce Engstrom ordered an outside investigation after two students reported being drugged and raped.
Former state Supreme Court Justice Diane Barz later said her investigation found nine alleged rapes or sexual assaults involving students had occurred between September 2010 and December 2011, including at least two that hadn't been reported. One led to former Montana football player Beau Donaldson pleading guilty to rape and being sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Engstrom said in January the investigation "indicated an association with patterns of behavior from a small number of student-athletes."
"We will not tolerate the tarnishing of the proud tradition of Grizzly athletics," he said at the time.
Barz suggested training faculty and staff on how to handle and report sexual assault allegations and rewriting student and student-athlete conduct codes.
Weeks later, the university came under more criticism after the dean of students notified a Saudi national about sexual assault and rape allegations made against him. The student fled the country before the alleged victims could file a police report.
Johnson's case surfaced March 9, when the female student obtained a temporary restraining order against him. He was briefly suspended from the football team, then reinstated when a civil no-contact order replaced the restraining order.
Three days after coach Robin Pflugrad welcomed Johnson back, and touted the "character and tremendous moral fiber" of the player he had known since Johnson was a boy, Engstrom announced he was not renewing the contracts of the coach or O'Day. Both were immediately relieved of their duties, with no explanation from Engstrom.
The move came after a season when Montana advanced to the Football Championship Subdivision semifinal game. The Grizzlies have advanced to the national title game seven times since 1995, winning twice
Last April, the federal Department of Education announced it was investigating a complaint alleging the university discriminated against female students, faculty and staff by failing to address a sexually hostile environmental caused by its failure to appropriately respond to reports of sexual assault.
Soon after, the U.S. Justice Department announced its investigation into the handling of rape investigations and prosecutions, and the school announced in May the NCAA had been investigating its athletic programs since January 2012 for undisclosed reasons. Those investigations continue.
Jordan Johnson and his attorney David Paoli both cried after the verdict was announced, and cheers erupted from the area where the defendant's family was sitting in the packed courtroom.
The accusations against Johnson, 20, have drawn much attention in Montana, where UM football is the top sports attraction. Johnson led the school to a successful 2011 season as starting quarterback before being accused of assaulting a woman while watching a movie with her at her home last year.
His case has unfolded against a backdrop of NCAA and federal investigations of the university's athletic department and the manner in which rape allegations are handled on campus, investigated by police and prosecuted by the Missoula County attorney's office.
The situation left some worried that the highly successful football team was out of control off the field.
In closing statements Friday, Assistant Attorney General Joel Thompson told jurors that the accuser "has had to crawl through a proverbial tunnel of sewage" to see the case through to trial because she wanted accountability, the Missoulian reported. He alleged Johnson maliciously assaulted his client, resulting in psychological damage.
The female student testified that she and Johnson were kissing at her home last February when his demeanor changed and he held her down and raped her, despite her protests.
Witnesses testified that she was pale and shaking, and that she cried uncontrollably after driving Johnson back to his house.
But Johnson told jurors the sex was consensual and that the woman enjoyed it. He testified that she asked him if he had a condom and when he said he didn't, she told him that was OK. He said she never said "no," and he would have stopped if she had.
The defense argued the woman became upset and sought vengeance after Johnson got up without any cuddling and didn't talk to her other than to say, "Well, thanks," when she dropped him off at his house.
After the verdict was read, Johnson hugged his attorneys and then his large group of supporters in the courtroom.
Asked for comment, Paoli said: "Feel wonderful. Very happy."
Those in attendance Friday included Montana football players, coach Mick Delaney and former athletic director Jim O'Day.
Johnson, who is from the Eugene, Ore., area, was briefly suspended from the football team when the allegations surfaced. He was then kicked off the team under the school's student-athlete conduct code, after the felony charge of sexual intercourse without consent was filed against him in July. He has remained in school.
UM athletic director Kent Haslam said Friday student-athletes can appeal their suspension if there is a change in the circumstances that led to it. Johnson's acquittal would qualify as such a change. Haslam said he has not talked with Johnson about whether he would appeal.
Johnson's trial began with jury selection Feb. 8. District Judge Karen Townsend initially called 400 potential jurors for the high-profile case and eventually seated 12 with five alternates.
Concerns about the handling of sexual assault cases peaked in December 2011, when UM President Royce Engstrom ordered an outside investigation after two students reported being drugged and raped.
Former state Supreme Court Justice Diane Barz later said her investigation found nine alleged rapes or sexual assaults involving students had occurred between September 2010 and December 2011, including at least two that hadn't been reported. One led to former Montana football player Beau Donaldson pleading guilty to rape and being sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Engstrom said in January the investigation "indicated an association with patterns of behavior from a small number of student-athletes."
"We will not tolerate the tarnishing of the proud tradition of Grizzly athletics," he said at the time.
Barz suggested training faculty and staff on how to handle and report sexual assault allegations and rewriting student and student-athlete conduct codes.
Weeks later, the university came under more criticism after the dean of students notified a Saudi national about sexual assault and rape allegations made against him. The student fled the country before the alleged victims could file a police report.
Johnson's case surfaced March 9, when the female student obtained a temporary restraining order against him. He was briefly suspended from the football team, then reinstated when a civil no-contact order replaced the restraining order.
Three days after coach Robin Pflugrad welcomed Johnson back, and touted the "character and tremendous moral fiber" of the player he had known since Johnson was a boy, Engstrom announced he was not renewing the contracts of the coach or O'Day. Both were immediately relieved of their duties, with no explanation from Engstrom.
The move came after a season when Montana advanced to the Football Championship Subdivision semifinal game. The Grizzlies have advanced to the national title game seven times since 1995, winning twice
Last April, the federal Department of Education announced it was investigating a complaint alleging the university discriminated against female students, faculty and staff by failing to address a sexually hostile environmental caused by its failure to appropriately respond to reports of sexual assault.
Soon after, the U.S. Justice Department announced its investigation into the handling of rape investigations and prosecutions, and the school announced in May the NCAA had been investigating its athletic programs since January 2012 for undisclosed reasons. Those investigations continue.
other than drinking and fornicating, in the eyes of the law, he's innocent. Â But, Â because of the brouhaha, Â now every UM student is forced through some feminist 'PETSA' training. Â 'Politically correct' pap, with no real foundation.
http://newstalkkgvo.com/alleged-victims-roommate-testifies-at-university-of-montana-quarterback-jordan-johnson-rape-trial-audio/
It's getting to the point not only is there NO point for men to get married, there's no point for them to show any affection or attraction to the opposite sex. It's legally becoming too risky. Women have insane power over men with laws severely favoring us. The easiest way to destroy a man's life is to throw a rape accusation at him because he made you feel uncomfy. Even if found innocent, the accusation usually follows them throughout life. At the rate we're going ... I picture in the next 5-7 years, the women's groups will push a law that will make it illegal for certain men to even look at women. I have to laugh every time I hear fellow women complain about men now a days. You know, "how they don't take charge and aren't aggressive." Is it any wonder ladies!?  The laws are so stacked against them. If he makes a move you don't like, you have the power to cry rape or assault. Not to mention, you still are expecting old traditions and chivalry from them "because you like/ want it" while society keeps shoving it down their throats to CHANGE/ ACCEPT not demand anything from you. Imagine if we had a similar law in place for young men. If every time they felt financially taken advantage of by a female, they could cry and throw a girls name and mug all over the media.Â
This is, as they say, a teachable moment.
Gather round boys and let's examine the mistakes this young man made, shall we?
1) Did NOT bring a condom to a date. Very bad. You wouldn't play QB without your jockstrap, so why go into the "One Minute Offense" without a condom?
2) Always let the gal take the condom OUT of the package or at least have her pick it up and hand it to you. If SHE does it, her fingerprints are on it and would be very hard to explain away other than she gave consent. When you are finished, you take the condom and the package WITH you so as she doesn't get any ideas about getting an 18 Year Annuity.
3) Mr. Mylon's legal department hasn't vetted this one yet but here goes; Leave the voice recorder on your phone on.  Especially if  she's the psycho-weirdo type.  Check the laws in your State first.
4) Finally, if a girl says "NO!'," take her at her word. Get up, dust yourself off and POLITELY excuse yourself after you remember you have a Big Test  in the morning that you have to cram for. Do not ever call her again. She's not into you.
G. Mylon
Never had to write ONE Child Support Check. I Win!
@Getov Mylon It's to the point as a male you need to have a video camera rolling, a legal contract signed and a witness present to hear the girl say "YES" about 17 times. I find it utterly hilarious how fellow women and young ladies cry about guys not taken charge nor being aggressive now a days. Gee ... I wonder why.Â
Montana: Where men are men and sheep are nervous..
So now they're going to go after the girl for filing a false report, lying under oath, and destroying this guy's reputation, right?
Or are women exempt from perjury, filing false reports, and everything else that goes into being a lying skank inside a courtroom?@burton Are men exempt from being date-raping entitled football playing frat boys?? Just remember that OJ was found innocent too.
@Sanctuary @burton Â
Yeah, and so was the Duke Lacrosse team. Pretty sure that skank is doing time for murder now.
Then there was that local mother/daughter that lied to get their husband/father put in prison for what, 19? years before the lying daughter confessed?
And this guy isn't famous/wealthy/good enough at sports to get the Hollywood/politician treatment.
Those that lie about rape should face the same penalties as actual rapists.Â
@burton You're Spot On. I recall in the Duke Case, professors and students were mounting to have them expelled before the case even began. Then it turned out they were innocent and the girl was absolutely crazy. And you're correct about the case here in WA last year. The guy was incarcerated for nearly 20 years and when the female came out and said she made it up, there were 0 ramifications for her lie. The point is, the rights of men are thrown out the window anytime a female merely accuses him of rape/ assault. These false accusations destroy people. I totally agree. Everytime there's a false claim, the female still has the legal protection of not having her name released. I'm more than certain, there'll be some who will jump on his and throw out "rape culture" and "rape enabling judges." These people want a person to be convicted merely off someone's word. They don't want due process to take place. Nor do they ever think a female has to be 50/50 responsible for her actions. For some reason, the male is ALWAYS suppose to automatically know the fine line.Â