CINCINNATI, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- A Cincinnati-area rape victim was serving a 10-day jail sentence Monday, while her accused attacker was free -- all because she refused to testify.
The Cincinnati Enquirer said County Judge Patrick Dinkelacker, charged the unidentified 33-year-old North Fairmount, Ohio, woman with contempt of court, saying, failure to appear in court -- even if one is fearful of retaliation -- is "slapping the court in the face."
The Enquirer said the woman was the fifth victim or witness during the past month to fail to appear for trial in Dinkelacker's courtroom.
The woman said she was dragged into a wooded area near her home July 8 and raped. Michael Lindsey, 25, was arrested and indicted on rape and kidnapping charges. But when the woman failed to appear in court three times, Dinkelacker dismissed the case.
The woman said her neighbors threatened her and her children. She told her attorney: "I've already been hurt once, I don't know what will happen. This way, at least I'll be alive."
