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Wilder will face testimony from alleged assault victims

September 25, 2013
	<p>Vernon, Mich., resident Oswald Scott Wilder enters the court room Sept. 24, 2013, at the 54-B District Courthouse. He faces two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, one count of unlawful imprisonment and one count of gross indecency between a male and female by a sexually delinquent person. Margaux Forster/The State News</p>

Vernon, Mich., resident Oswald Scott Wilder enters the court room Sept. 24, 2013, at the 54-B District Courthouse. He faces two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, one count of unlawful imprisonment and one count of gross indecency between a male and female by a sexually delinquent person. Margaux Forster/The State News

The man accused of committing four sexual assaults in East Lansing this summer made his first court appearance Tuesday and soon will face testimony from all four of his alleged victims.

Police believe Wilder, 26, initiated four sexual attacks near MSU’s campus between March 30 and May 16. He appeared for his pretrial conference before 54B District Court Judge Andrea Larkin Tuesday morning.

Wilder is charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, one count of unlawful imprisonment and one count of gross indecency between a male and female by a sexually delinquent person.

Police reports obtained by The State News through the Freedom of Information Act indicate accusations against Wilder range from reaching up skirts of victims from behind to violent sexual assaults while the victims were walking alone at night in various East Lansing locations.

Ingham County Assistant Prosecutor Debra Rousseau said two of the alleged victims now live outside of the country and will have to testify in court by phone or Skype.

Larkin said their testimonies could not only aid the prosecution process, but also play to Wilder?s defense and possibly aid his defense attorney, Paul Toman.

“Good cause certainly has been shown here,” Larkin said. “It’s important that Mr. Toman be able to see these witnesses and assess their personal characteristics.” “Since the two victims could not recall Wilder’s appearance or identify him, Rousseau said it seems more reasonable to speak with the victims through a video conference call rather than paying to transport them.”

Since the two victims could not recall Wilder’s appearance or identify him, Rousseau said it seems more reasonable to speak with the victims through a video conference call rather than paying to transport them.

“It would cost thousands of dollars to bring them here,” Rousseau said. “Since they couldn’t ID the defendant anyway, that seems like something we don’t want to do at this point.”

The fact that the two victims could not pinpoint Wilder specifically could complicate their testimonies, Toman said. “That’s just one of the elements they have to prove,” he said.

The first assault, which police did not initially connect to Wilder, reportedly occurred on March 30 on the 1100 block of Grand River Avenue as the victim was walking home. Three more assaults occurred between April 20 and May 16.

Surveillance footage from a Meijer store located at 1350 W. Lake Lansing Road also showed Wilder following of one his alleged victims throughout the store the evening of the assault, according to police reports.

In Wilder’s handwritten confession to police obtained by The State News through the Freedom of Information Act, he said his addiction to crack cocaine and watching sexual fantasy abuse videos influenced his behavior.

As the incidents played out, they drew attention from both MSU students and residents in the area, leading to police investigation and growing concern as to the nature of the incidents.

Although the March 30 incident and the other alleged charges against Wilder currently are two separate cases, Toman said he and Rousseau have negotiated to combine the two.
Toman said Wilder has been ?in good spirits? since his arrest.

“He’s been charged with some very heavy crimes,” Toman said. “Given the circumstances, he has a very good demeanor.”

Wilder is scheduled for a preliminary exam in court on Friday. If he is found guilty of all seven counts, he could face life in prison

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