Woman who accused Oklahoma RB Anderson of rape goes public

Oklahoma Sooners running back Rodney Anderson will not be charged with rape

A day after learning Oklahoma running back Rodney Anderson would not be charged for sexual assault, the woman who accused him of raping her released a statement in which she reprimanded local law enforcement for their failure to pursue the case.

‘I held full faith that the Oklahoma criminal justice system would achieve due process with a thorough investigation,’ read the statement from Courtney J. Thornton, which was published by Deadspin. ‘Yesterday’s press conference, held by the Cleveland County District Attorney’s office, diminished my faith in our local judicial system.’

Thornton, a student at Oklahoma who had not been previously identified, claimed earlier this month Anderson assaulted her in her apartment and that she feared for her safety. 

The Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday it would not be filing charges against Anderson because there wasn’t evidence she told Anderson ‘no.’

Susan Caswell, Cleveland County assistant prosecutor, said Anderson won't be charged

Susan Caswell, Cleveland County assistant prosecutor, said Anderson won’t be charged

‘[Thornton] may very well believe that this incident went further than she wanted it to go, and that’s not a lie, according to what she told the police,’ Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn said according to The Norman Transcript. ‘Certainly, one, she never communicated that to Mr. Anderson even by her word, she never told that to Mr. Anderson.’

Furthermore, Susan Caswell, Cleveland County assistant prosecutor, explained that Thornton’s friends supported Anderson’s claim that the accusation of rape came only after the Sooners running back chose not to pursue a relationship with her. 

An attorney for Anderson called the accusations ‘patently false,’ saying Thornton made them after Anderson declined her social invitations. 

Anderson pleaded his innocence on Twitter. 

‘In my wildest dreams, I never thought I’d have to set up a Twitter account to defend myself,’ he wrote. ‘In the most possible straightforward and honest manner, I did not do this.’

According to Thornton, she was unable to consent to anything because she was inebriated. 

‘I was unable to immediately recollect the events of November 16th due to my high level of intoxication,’ she wrote in her statement. ‘I was not “tipsy”—I was incapacitated. Following a night of consuming over 10 shots of alcohol, at least 8 of which he witnessed, I was unable to provide consent after I had “blacked-out.”‘

'After consensual kissing contact, [Thornton] remembers waking without clothing,' the report read. 'No injuries were reported as a result of this crime. A suspect has been identified'

‘After consensual kissing contact, [Thornton] remembers waking without clothing,’ the report read. ‘No injuries were reported as a result of this crime. A suspect has been identified’

In a protective order submitted on December 4, Thornton claimed she had been drinking at a bar on November 16 when she initially met Anderson. She said she planned to take a car service home but Anderson’s friends ‘insisted’ he take her.

‘On December 4, 2017 at approximately 12:15pm, an adult female reported that after an evening of drinking she accepted a ride from an adult male acquaintance,’ read the police report, filed in Norman, Oklahoma. 

‘After consensual kissing contact, she remembers waking without clothing,’ the report continued. ‘No injuries were reported as a result of this crime. A suspect has been identified. No arrests have been made. The incident is under investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division.

According to ESPN, Thornton explained she began ‘recalling images and feelings of him forcing his fingers [insider her]’ and biting her. She also claimed she tried to get away and put her clothes back on, but he followed her.

Friends of Thornton supported Anderson’s claim that the accusation of rape came only after the Sooners running back chose not to pursue a relationship with her.

Anderson has been one of Oklahoma's breakout stars after season-ending injuries the past two years. He leads the Sooners with 960 yards rushing and 11 rushing touchdowns

Anderson has been one of Oklahoma’s breakout stars after season-ending injuries the past two years. He leads the Sooners with 960 yards rushing and 11 rushing touchdowns

There were also text messages between Anderson and Thornton between the alleged attack and December 4, when she filed the claim.

‘There were several back-and-forth messages that were friendly with [Thornton], saying that she had fun and hoped to see Mr. Anderson again,’ said Caswell. ‘They were friendly back-and-forth messages between the two of them.’

‘They did not get back together again after that night,’ Caswell continued. ‘The last few messages sent by [the woman] suggested that they get together were not answered by Mr. Anderson.

‘Later, she saw Mr. Anderson in a bar but they had no conservation. After this, she said she began having memories of events differently and then reported a crime to the police a few days later.’

Amelia Molitor

Now-former Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon (left) was filmed punching Amelia Molitor (right) in the face at a restaurant in 2014. Mixon is now with the Cincinnati Bengals

Amelia Molitor, who was punched by Mixon, told police that the incident was precipitated by Mixon and a group of his friends making unwanted sexual advances toward her

Molitor, who was punched by Mixon, told police that the incident was precipitated by Mixon and a group of his friends making unwanted sexual advances toward her

Thornton’s friends allegedly backed up Anderson’s account.

‘It was their understanding that [Thornton] and Mr. Anderson had had a good time, and that she was hoping to have a romantic relationship with him,’ Caswell said. 

Anderson has been one of Oklahoma’s breakout stars after season-ending injuries the past two years. He leads the Sooners with 960 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns and has 283 yards and five touchdowns receiving. Oklahoma plays Georgia in a College Football Playoff semifinal January 1 in the Rose Bowl.

Anderson took over this year for departed running back Joe Mixon, who was suspended for a year after he punched a woman in a restaurant in July 2014. Mixon is now with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals.

Amelia Molitor, who was punched by Mixon, told police that the incident was precipitated by Mixon and a group of his friends making unwanted sexual advances toward her.

THORNTON’S STATEMENT

My choice to stay silent to the media was an intentional decision. I held full faith that the Oklahoma criminal justice system would achieve due process with a thorough investigation. Yesterday’s press conference, held by the Cleveland County District Attorney’s office, diminished my faith in our local judicial system. I was speechless when I heard inaccurate statements, a disregard for addressing my inability to give consent, and projected a perceived bias. I was led to believe that the case details provided to the media would be a vague overview of the investigative process. I truly hope their unorthodox, erroneous and egregious release of detailed information does not affect and/or deter future victims from coming forward.

I was unable to immediately recollect the events of November 16th due to my high level of intoxication. I was not “tipsy”—I was incapacitated. Following a night of consuming over 10 shots of alcohol, at least 8 of which he witnessed, I was unable to provide consent after I had “blacked-out.” As stated, I came forward to authorities with the details of my ordeal after I began to remember terrorizing images, thoughts and feelings from that night. My motives for coming forward are pure. My body was violated when I was unable to give consent. I had no desire for anything but justice.

Despite my adamant fight for justice, I have chosen to dismiss my Victim Protective Order upon receiving military orders two days ago to begin training. I look forward to starting this next chapter of my life as a 2ndLieutenant in the United States Air Force.

In the future, I ask you to consider all sides of every story before resorting to absolutes. Coming forward was one of the most difficult decisions of my life, but I never wanted to regret not reporting what happened that night. In the humble words of Eleanor Roosevelt, ‘What you don’t do can be a destructive force.’”

Best regards,

Courtney J. Thornton

OU Class of 2017

(source: Deadspin)

Anderson and Oklahoma play Georgia in a College Football Playoff semifinal on January 1

Anderson and Oklahoma play Georgia in a College Football Playoff semifinal on January 1



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