The article “Knott pleads guilty to lesser charges” (SN 5/24) has me stunned. What exactly is this article saying? For all the legal terms and talk of contracts, the only information I could piece together from the article is that Eric Knott raped a 13-year-old girl and is now being recruited to play football at MSU.
In July 1999 he was charged with two counts of felony criminal sexual conduct. The article fails to say what the two charges were for. Instead, it describes how first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges may be dropped to aggravated assault (fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct) if Knott does some community service. His initial charges carried a maximum sentence of life in prison, and now his maximum sentence is “two years in jail, but he is only expected to receive probation at his June 21 hearing.”
There is no mention as to why Knott’s charges were lessened. No new evidence was found. The truth of what happened has not changed. Apparently the ability to play a game can rewrite history and determine right and wrong.
As a sidenote to Knott’s outrageous manipulation of the law, Damon Dowdell was quoted in The State News: “I think it’s great that Knott is finally going to get his chance. He’s a pretty good player and I think he has the talent to do it.” Dowdell was charged in the same case as Knott, but got off on a misdemeanor and joined the MSU football team last September. This very vague information is all the article has to say about Dowdell’s involvement. I do not know why Dowdell’s involvement was treated as a sidenote.
I do not know all the details of what happened to the young girl. But, I can be certain of a few things that were left out of the article and general public consciousness. It is not easy for a woman to admit she’s been raped. To have the courage and strength to speak up after being raped requires a person to know she did not deserve to be raped and she deserves justice.
It is not easy to endure the legal battles and questioning involved in rape cases. It can’t be any easier for a 13-year-old. It can’t be any easier to survive and triumph in court, to have one’s attacker found guilty, but then have it all taken back.
A child’s alleged assailants are walking free. One is hoping to play football right here in our school next year. Does anybody care? Does this story belong buried in the sports section under the unassuming title, “Knott pleads guilty to lesser charges”? When a woman reports rape at MSU, her entire story is printed on the front page under a big headline that includes the words “rape” or “sexual assault.” The State News’ handling of this subject is confusing. The actions of the courts, MSU and the rapists are appalling.
Rana Change
religous studies senior
