-Caveat Lector- Published Wednesday, September 22, 1999 St. Paul rape victim's brother perpetrator, not rescuer, cops say Heron Marquez Estrada / Star Tribune Police investigating the rape of an 8-year-old St. Paul girl by a group of elementary school boys in an abandoned house said Tuesday that her 9-year-old brother took her into the house and participated in the attack. The siblings first covered up the attack, which occurred more than a week ago, then told police that the boy had tried to rescue his sister from six boys ranging in age from 6 to 13 who had sexually assaulted her for about an hour. Police talked to the other alleged assailants Tuesday and all six admitted the attack but said the brother had instigated it. After interviewing the victim and all the suspects, police ruled out the possibility that the attack was gang-related or connected to a series of rapes during the past two years that were part of local gang-initiation rites. Although no arrests have been made, the girl will look at photos today to see if she can identify her attackers, police said. Also, the case will be turned over today to the Ramsey County attorney's office for possible prosecution. Several of the boys allegedly involved in the attack, including the girl's brother, are under 10 years old, the minimum age for criminal prosecution in Minnesota. "The child's conduct would be addressed in the child protection system," Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner said. She said a defendant under 10 could be placed in a treatment or rehabilitation center. The remainder of the boys are under 14 and cannot be tried as adults. If convicted, they could be confined in a juvenile institution, but only until they turn 19. Police spokesman Michael Jordan said the girl was expected to see a doctor last week to be examined, but she didn't. He said police had "no question" that she was telling the truth about the rape. Sgt. Jon Loretz also said that he is "absolutely convinced" that a sexual assault took place, but that it remains unclear exactly when. The youngsters involved have been unable to recall specific dates, but police believe it happened during the Labor Day holiday or the following weekend. Police said the children are playmates who live within several blocks of each other in the Frogtown neighborhood. The attack took place in a house on Sherburne Avenue near Chatsworth Street. It was abandoned last September following a foreclosure. The city condemned it pending a possible sale, but it has been on the market for months. "We're wondering why this happened," Loretz said Tuesday after interviewing the kids. "There was some peer pressure going on. It's almost like the snowball [effect] just kept getting worse." Police said there is no history of police calls or interventions at the family home. According to the other boys, the group was inside the house playing hide-and-go-seek, riding skateboards and trading Pokemon cards when the girl was brought inside by her brother, who was allegedly the first to assault her. The other boys then either penetrated the girl or fondled her genitals, according to police reports. One 9-year-old told police he only observed. © Copyright 1999 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. http://www.startribune.com/stOnLine/cgi-bin/article?thisSlug=rape22 DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
