May 6, 2010
updated
The video MSNBC provided was censored. I’ll have to find an uninterrupted copy of the press connference. Mark Geragos was on Larry King (video/text) and they showed a clip of Taylor’s lawyer.
ARTHUR AIDALA:
Lawrence Taylor did not have consensual sex with anybody last night.
He is charged with rape. Lawrence Taylor did not rape anybody.
My client did not have sex with anybody. No. Period. Amen.
So his lawyer is saying no sexual contact took place at all.
Original post with intial police statement HERE.
Source: AP’s JIM FITZGERALD via MSNBC.
Clarification for folks like Ms Whoopi Goldberg who think not all rape is “rape rape” .
NOTE: I am not saying Mr Taylor has done anything wrong. Only 3 named people know that for sure. My response is to the language and tone used by Taylor’s lawyer and the actual charges themselves. Haven’t found court papers.
Allegation: LT paid $300 to a man to have sex with a 16 y/o girl, who happened to be a runaway.
Allegation: the man who “provided” the girl beat her up just previous to “delivering” her.
Scroll down for formal charges.
Lawrence Taylor’s lawyer, ARTHUR AIDALA, did not help matters by referring to “the pained look” on his client’s face when folks are wondering what the 16 y/o girl’s face and body looks like.
And what’s with shifty guy in the shades standing behind him? The two of them looked like they were representing the Gambino family.
A quiet straight into the camera unemotional denial by a modestly dressed petite woman of the same race as the 16 y/o girl is what should have happened.
And even if LT is 100% innocent, which he is presumed to be, his lawyer should have made an acknowledgment of the heinousness of the allegation – not proclaim his “client didn’t assault anybody”.
The charge is RAPE.
By definition, rape is a sexual assault, which by definition is a physical assault- no matter the degree, charge or punishment.
[Hand transcribed]
ARTHUR AIDALA (AA):
Today, obviously, It was a very difficult, difficult day for Lawrence. Anyone who could see the pained look on his face when he was in that courtroom could verify that.
Mr Taylor is denying and preparing to fight each and every one of these charges.
What does his rocking, clasped hands and bowed head say to you?
AA: It’s very interesting how the story started off this morning that he was – that he physically assaulted somebody. And the record has been cleared that Lawrence Taylor didn’t assault anybody.
Rape is an assault. He couldn’t have been “cleared” of assault if he was charged with rape.
And not just “anybody” was assaulted. His client is accused of raping an underage girl, whether he knew he knew she was or not.
Inaccurate:
AA: And the record should be very clear as to what the charges are.
The charges are that there was a consensual sexual act that took place here.
TAYLOR was charged with:
1-THIRD DEGREE RAPE
2-PATRONIZING A PROSTITUTE.
In New York, the age of consent is 17. In the law’s eyes, a 16 y/o is not capable of consent. Charges are then adjudged as to the respective ages of the rapist/rapee, which is why he was charged with third degree rape.
Sex with a person under 17 is a Class “E” felony if the perpetrator is at least 21. (“Rape in the third degree,” NY Penal Law § 130.25;)
Perfectly suited to a Nancy Grace sound bite.
AA: There’s no violence. There’s no force. There’s no threats. There’s no weapons.
First impressions cannot be overcome. Especially one made by a how dare you accuse my client screecher who sounds like he thinks all women and girls cry rape and all rapes have to involve threats and/or weapons.
Not many women are going to characterize “sex” between a physically imposing married 51 y/o ex-linebacker and a 16 y/o runaway who was beaten just prior to being transacted for – as “consensual”?
And Mr Lawyer?
A penis is a weapon.
AA: You heard previously that Mr Taylor was very cooperative. He has been cooperative throughout this whole process. That does not mean he’s not devastated.
How many folks are concerned about his devastation vs that of the 16 y/o girl who was forced into prostitution and now has to face the media because her alleged rapist is a famous athlete with a lengthy past?
Will the DA investigate why things were so bad at home the girl had to run away?
As for cooperation, if he is indeed innocent, he should be nothing but cooperative and he should be standing still looking into the camera so folks can verify his “pained look”.
And then LT’s history of drug abuse. His own lawyer voluntarily introduced something that might have been potentially inadmissible in court and something potential jurors might not have even known about.
AA: He has not touched any drugs in over a dozen years!
He’s clean! clean! clean!
That life is over!
That’s the old Lawrence Taylor!
This is the new Lawrence Taylor!
How is being accused of adultery via rape of a child forced into prostitution “new” and improved and preferable to drug addiction?
And if it’s discovered LT was not being honest about not using drugs?
And of course the inevitable mention of a wife who had nothing to do with anything.
AA: All he wants to do is to get back to FLAHR-i-dah, be with his wife, have myself and his legal team fight this—-put this episode behind him as well.
As well?
The very first thing LT should do when he gets back to Flahrida is hire a new attorney and media person.
Bail: $75K.
TAYLOR’s reported comment to the press:
I’m not that important.
And the 16 y/o girl?
There should be aggravating circumstances for allegedly raping a freshly beaten underage child who was reported missing in March and was allegedly living with held captive for the last 2 weeks by bus stop troller for runaways, 36 y/o parolee RASHEED DAVIS.
On parole for?
First-degree manslaughter.
Sentenced 8-25 yrs in April 1994. Paroled March 2008.
DAVIS charges:
1-UNLAWFUL IMPRISONMENT
2-ASSAULT
3-ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD
According to MSNBC:
Early Thursday morning, Davis punched and kicked her, drove her to the hotel against her will and told her she had to have sex with Taylor, police said. When she refused, Davis handed her over to Taylor, who sexually assaulted her, they said. Taylor paid her $300, which she gave to Davis, police said.
How did she get free?
On the way to Suffern, the girl sent text messages to her uncle spelling out what was happening, Browne said. The uncle then went to the NYPD, he said.
What needs explaining is whether LT was familiar with DAVIS prior to last evening.
A man who has had multiple experiences with the Justice System should be able to spot a “pimp” and a newly-enslaved child.
And he most definitely should be able to recognize the eyes of a man convicted and imprisoned for first degree manslaughter of another human being.
Something that can never be explained away.
