• Home
  • Legislative Watch List
  • Contact Us
  • Books & References
  • LINKS
  • WEEKLY CARTOONS
  • Never shake a baby, let him do it himself!
  • WCSO Lt. Brian Filipiak Arrested for Drunk Driving
Washtenaw Watchdogs

The Cover-up of the Arrest of University of Michigan Football player, Brendan Gibbons, for Rape

8/8/2013

227 Comments

 
Brendan Gibbons Mug Shot
Brendan Gibbons mug shot. Image courtesy of Ann Arbor Police Department
Picture
Brendan Gibbons on Football field. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons


Introduction:

In 2009, Brendan Gibbons was a red shirt freshman field goal kicker for the University of Michigan football team. However, before his first varsity kick, he was arrested shortly after the Michigan/Ohio State football game in 2009, for raping an 18 yr. old freshman at a party in the Chi Psi fraternity house.

Brendan Gibbons was a highly ranked football recruit from Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was recruited as a field goal kicker but he also played defensive end, fullback and linebacker in high school.

“The 6-1, 205-pound Gibbons has had a strong senior season, converting 10 of 12 field goals with a long of 52 yards. He also has hit 93 percent of his kickoffs for touchbacks, and most go out the back of the end zone. Gibbons leg strength is one of his best assets and he expects he'll be able to show it off early at Michigan.”[1]

He was recruited under the head coach, Rich Rodriguez. He was a large and powerful athlete, and she was 106 lbs.

The only report in the newspaper was anonymous because the Ann Arbor Police refused to confirm that he was under arrest or that he was being investigated for rape.

According to the young woman’s statement to police, she knew Brendan Gibbons and considered him a friend. They were both scholarship athletes and they had both lived at Mary Markley Hall (dormitory). They saw each other at the athletic department’s academic center[2].

The night before the rape, there was an incident at another party where Gibbons had briefly kissed the young woman[3].

The night of the rape, the woman had gone to a party with some female friends, at the Chi Psi fraternity house. She had been served about 4 beers and a shot of alcohol[4]. She stated that she had a lot to drink. She also noted that about 80% of the people at the party were freshman. Within two days of the incident, the Chi Psi fraternity national headquarters put the UM chapter on suspension and prohibited them from having alcohol at any of their social events[5].


Picture
Room 17: Scene of the crime. Image courtesy of Ann Arbor Police Department
Picture
Cartoon on the door of room 17. Image courtesy of Ann Arbor Police Department
She met Gibbons at the party and at one point was sitting with him on a couch. She needed to use a bathroom, which was located on the second floor of the fraternity. Gibbons walked with her to the second floor and followed her into the bathroom. She was wearing leggings under her dress, which Gibbons tried to pull down. She said no and left the bathroom. Gibbons followed and forced her into an open bedroom. He pushed her down on the bed, grabbing onto her arm to control her (note the documentation of bruises on her arm by the police)[6]. She told him “no” multiple times. He did not use a condom and semen was found on her dress. 

After the rape, the woman left the Chi Psi house immediately. She called a friend who met her on the way back to her dorm. She was crying hysterically and she told her friend what had happened[7]. She reported the incident to the resident advisor of her dorm, to a university housing security officer, campus police and to Ann Arbor police. 

She was taken to University Hospital for a rape examination, which showed vaginal tearing. 

Brendan Gibbons admitted to having sex with the young woman but claimed that it was consensual. “She never asked me to stop. We were both into it.” He stated that his whole life would be ruined, the girl always wins[8]. 

Picture
Taylor Lewan on Football field. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Shortly after the woman reported the rape, she began to receive threats from Gibbons roommate and fellow football player, Taylor Lewan (now an All-American), that he would rape her again if she pressed charges against Gibbons. 

The threats were reported by two other football players to the Office of Student Affairs who reported them to the University police. The University police did a “wellness check” on the young woman[9] and met with Taylor Lewan. They warned Taylor Lewan not to threaten the woman again and that he might face criminal charges[10]. No criminal charges were ever filed by the campus police.  
Brendan Gibbons went on to become the starting place kicker for the University of Michigan football team. His performance in the 2010 season was dismal and made him the butt of jokes but in 2011 and 2012 he had much better seasons and he is on the preseason watch list for awards in the upcoming 2013 season. 

In the 2011 Sugar Bowl, Gibbons kicked the winning field goal in the closing seconds of the game. He was interviewed after the game and was asked what he was thinking of while he was waiting to make the kick. His response was “brunette girls”. The video went viral on the internet, with more than 378,000 views. I cannot imagine what his victim thought when she heard of his remark.

This young woman has suffered greatly. Not only was she victimized by her rapist and by his roommate’s threats to rape her again, but the University denied her both protection and justice. At the very least, Brendan Gibbons should have been expelled and Taylor Lewan suspended. Instead, Brendan Gibbons is about to complete a successful football career at the University of Michigan and Taylor Lewan is an All-American.

This is not what Fielding Yost, Fritz Crisler or Bo Schembechler would have call a “Michigan Man”

The following quote is from a Sports Illustrated story about recruiting and other NCAA violations at Oklahoma State University between 2000 and 2011. This quote refers to reports that some members of the schools hostess program would have sex with football recruits.

On the surface, what allegedly occurred at those schools and with the small number of Orange Pride members and recruits in Stillwater might appear harmless. But is it? Players told SI there was a sense of entitlement among teammates, that they felt that the women on campus existed for their pleasure. Says Katherine Redmond Brown, founder of the National Coalition Against Violent Athletes, "Things like hostess programs are a big part of that toxic conditioning."


 

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20130913/oklahoma-state-part-4-the-sex/#ixzz2enmKg0Wa


[1] http://mgoblog.com/content/2009-recruiting-brendan-gibbons


 Police report 

  • [2] How does the victim know the assailant? 
  • [3] An incident the night before the rape)
  • [4] Victim’s statement)
  • [6] documentation of bruising
  • [7] statement of the victim’s friend who met her on the way to her dorm
  • [8] Brendan Gibbons’ statement

 [5] Letter from the Chi Psi national headquarters

 [9]  UM police report (Wellness check on the victim)
[10] UM police report (Warning to Taylor Lewan)


[11] Victim’s communication via Facebook

ann_arbor_police_report_re_gibbons.pdf
File Size: 3002 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File



UPDATE: 09.17.13  Brendan Gibbons’ Arrest

The report of the physical examination of the victim has just become available in response to a new FOIA request.

The examination showed that there were linear tears in the skin of the labia minora. An internal examination was not possible because it was too painful to perform.

The frequency of genital injuries, visible in direct examination, in rape victims is from 20 to 40%.[1] The use of dyes and magnification to detect more subtle injuries can increase the frequency of injury detection. Tears of the labia minora are one of the most common injuries found in rape victims. The incidence of genital injuries following consensual sex has not been adequately studied but tears of the labia minora have rarely been described in studies of consensual sex. Even in studies of consensual sex, findings of injuries are almost always associated with reports of dry, painful sex.

The genital injuries and the bruising of the upper arm are more consistent with the victim’s report than with Gibbons’ report of consensual sex.


[1] Sommers_doc2

sommers_doc2.pdf
File Size: 90 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

    




227 Comments
None
8/15/2013 02:37:39 pm

Any you sent this info to any of the local news/TV stations and/or ESPN?

Reply
Douglas Smith
8/15/2013 07:38:25 pm

All of the local newspapers and one of the local television stations are aware of this situation but have not published any stories. I made public comments on this story at the Board of Regents meeting in November 2011 and none of the news media that were there made any mention of my comments. The University of Michigan is very powerful and the local news outlets are afraid to publish this.

Reply
John
8/20/2013 05:22:16 am

Kill yourself.

Brian Durocher
8/20/2013 06:58:46 am

You are ludicrous, and I'm glad no one listened to you. If the campus police did not file changes, that means they do not think there is enough evidence of a crime. How pathetic.The idea that pressure was put on them is thoroughly speculative and unfounded, not to mention silly since plenty of athletes there get in trouble with the police (See Daryl Stonum for one, and Cissoko from that time for another).

Trey M
8/20/2013 08:14:58 am

John, that was uncalled for. Grow up and grow a pair. Brian there was proof, documented vaginal tearing from a hospital does not happen from consensual sex. She immediately left the party and was able to immediately tell authorities she was raped. She didn't go to court because hm maybe she didn't want to relive the experience, be hated by her community for ruining their football teams potential, be hated by her college because bad publicity is actually bad publicity, and was being threatened by peers. He is from West Palm Beach FL, which is a very wealthy community. I wouldn't be surprised if she just took money or was too scared to pursue it and just moved on as a survivor. He would have had amazing lawyers, the colleges support and it is already hard enough to win a case like this even with his semen and the vaginal tearing. Its sick. This poor girl did not even get a chance for true justice.

Steve
8/20/2013 12:41:29 pm

Trey, Where does it say in any of those reports that there was vaginal tearing? Sure the article says it but where is is source on that one?

None
8/20/2013 01:33:13 pm

Really didn't do this girl any favors in protecting her identity. Should really redact a bit more in your unedited version than her name. Not a lot of people from a certain state at UM, and even fewer in athletics...

None
8/20/2013 01:34:46 pm

Not doing this girl any favors by not red acting certain identifying aspects of her testimony... Easy to ID her now... I'm sure she's happy to have you on her side.

James
8/20/2013 01:52:55 pm

Stay classy Michigan, stay classy!!!

Rachel
8/21/2013 06:22:56 am

Hi Doug, I am intrigued and stunned that so many are missing the point of this. A very similar incident happened in Iowa (my home state) a few years back. Cedric Benson and another Iowa player whose name escapes me was accused of raping a girl, also an athlete. She was harassed after she made the accusation. The media IMMEDIATELY got involved and stories were out everywhere, even before it was known whether charges would be filed or not. After a bit of pressure, the two players were dismissed. The story stayed around for over a year. Eventually I think they both pled guilty to lesser chargers. The main glaring red flag in this incident is that not one news outlet reported on the accusation!! Not one!! I find nothing!! That tells me that Michigan has as much institutional control as PSU. The papers will not cross them. Charges weren't filed and I can't speak to why that happened, but I can guess it was because they knew this evidence wouldn't see the light of day. I think this player and his roommate should be kicked off the team at the least and the kicker should be in JAIL. I wish somebody would have the guts to report on it. I did e-mail the Detroit Free Press, but I'm sure I will be ignored.

Rodney
8/21/2013 07:33:09 am

So is she your sister Dougy?

nancy mahaffey
8/21/2013 08:46:34 am

Please send this article to 13 abc.com in toledo.

Robert Jones
8/21/2013 12:11:12 pm

I am reminded of the Penn State cover up with regards to the pedophile they had on campus. I am sure the University does not want this kind of news in the press. However, I wonder if they realize by doing nothing about these incidents only encourages more of the same behavior. Michigan would be better off getting ahead of this problem. Penn State would have not had as much a problem if they had of acted sooner than later. Michigan once again is proving University over everything. It is really sad when victims have no one to speak for them. I know I will advise anyone I know to think twice before going to Michigan.

Taylor Phillips
11/6/2013 07:11:22 am

John, you shouldn't tell people to kill themselves. Maybe you need to step away from the keyboard.

TCIDDA
1/29/2014 12:38:24 pm

let's take the sugar coating off and call it what it is a COVERUP.Great job Dave Brandon and Brady Joke

Brian Durocher
8/20/2013 06:52:43 am

Who would WANT to send this to any news outlets? What kind of mind wants that publicity to happen?

Reply
Victoria
8/22/2013 02:08:59 am

The kind that thinks a football player who raped someone shouldn't be playing for Michigan?

Stefan Stoianov
1/28/2014 08:53:31 pm

You seem to be a real homer aren't you, anything in the name of football?
What a doushe

mike
8/22/2013 12:13:07 pm

Not saying she deserved it, like at all, but there are certain frats at UofM that are literally called rape frats. You go there: you get raped. That simple. Once again, not condoning rape, it's terrible, but stay away from rape frats...and I know free drinks are exciting to freshman girls, but stay away from frats in general. There are plenty of non-asshole pieces of shit who would gladly buy you a drink at a decent pub. Go to Ashley's! No rape and $5 hopslams, hollaaaaaaaa.

Reply
None
8/22/2013 01:15:21 pm

Girls should have to stay away from certain frats. It shouldnt' be on the survivor/victim to do ANYTHING to protect themselves. People should just not rape people. Simple as that

SeanSantoni
8/22/2013 01:49:33 pm

I understand you don't want backlash. But, instead of telling chicks where not to go, or expect them to know that going somewhere to have fun might get them raped, how about tell dudes you can't control themselves to stay away. Not condoning douchey dudes...but you know stay away from chicks...

Jamie
8/23/2013 08:50:28 am

Or, you know, men could just like, not rape women? Stop blaming the victim and putting the responsibility of "not getting raped" on women instead of holding men responsible for not committing an act as reprehensible as rape...

mach
8/31/2013 07:50:43 am

Where did he blame the victim? He explicitly said nothing makes rape acceptable.

How is this poster's idea different from advising people not to walk in a bad part of town? In no way would this condone mugging or blame people for getting mugged or suggest those doing the mugging shouldn't be held accountable, but it suggests walking there is a dangerous practice. Of course it SHOULDN'T be dangerous...

Amanda
9/5/2013 09:35:38 am

How about NOT RAPING WOMEN? Saying women should "stay away form certain frats" is like saying it's her fault because she partied there. First of all, she was not raped by a frat boy, so blaming greek life for some football playing douche's actions makes no sense at all. Second of all, WOMEN WILL DAMN WELL GO WHEREVER THEY PLEASE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO THINK TWICE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT SOME GUY IS GOING TO RAPE THEM. Instead of blaming the woman, why don't you grow a pair and join an anti-sex crime campaign or better yet, EDUCATE YOURSELF ON SEX CRIMES. Starting a comment off like, "Not say she deserved it BUT..." is STUPID AS (*#%*(#W% like, just stop yourself right there there's no need to even continue.

Not saying you're an idiot, like at all, but there are certain offensive things that you shouldn't say and guess what buddy...this was one of them. Peace.

Sandy
9/6/2013 02:14:32 am

Why does the woman have to "be aware" of going somewhere? Why can't some people control their damn selves? Women should not have to change their plans because of possibility of getting raped. Shit, they may never leave their God Damn house.

Paul
9/6/2013 04:29:03 am

Look at how quick some of you were to accuse Mike of blaming the victim. Like all violent crimes, or crimes in general, rape will never be a thing of the past. It'll forever be an act of evil that humans are capable of, like murder, and kidnapping. While education, the discontinuation of the objectification of women, etc. might lessen the number of victims of rape, it'll still, horrifically, happen. You can't always depend on the protection of strangers. That's why, as a person, you need to be aware of the places your going.

Advocating that a women should avoid or be on guard at places where rapes are more likely to take place isn't the same as saying she knew what she was getting into. It's a piece of advice, and a rather easy one to comprehend, that would lessen the odds of becoming a victim. Sadly, the ideal world where you're safe anywhere does not, and will not, exist.

Adam
9/6/2013 04:34:02 am

You people are looking at it wrong. If you know going somewhere will get you shot, do you go there still because they shouldn't shoot you? No, you know to stay away from there. That is all that the people here are trying to say. Yes, rape is bad, but if you go somewhere knowing there is a high chance of getting raped, you took the chance. Just like if me (a white boy in his 20s) shouldn't go downtown Chi Town and start flashing gang signs. Sure that guy in the car with the tinted windows shouldn't kill me, but I also shouldn't be flashing gang signs in Chicago because I can.

Sandy
9/6/2013 05:55:08 am

My point, Paul, was that the concentration of Mikes discussion was on the fact that SHE should have known better and that is a problem, in that HE should have known better not to violate someones' personal rights. It is important to realize that most people do not think about those facts because we are really raised to blame the those who are violated in certain situations. "He should have known not to walk at night, that's why he was mugged" or, she should have known not to go to that party...". It, in a way, validates the attacker, because we are not blaming that person, but blaming the victim.

ricardo
9/25/2013 06:32:33 am

Sandy, we aren't "really raised to blame the those who are violated in certain situations." You made that up. In fact, we are raised to condemn things like murder and rape. Some people don't condemn those things, and they're usually called assholes or criminals. I read Mike's post, and in no way is he "blaming the victim."

According to the logic used by some of you, a person teaching a rape defense class could be accused of blaming the victim as well. Use your heads.

Maybe Josh, Maybe Josie
9/25/2013 09:37:29 am

aha...I agree with Paul on this one. Everyone is being so quite to judge mike. While I completely disapprove of rape...I also think that there can be things done by both sides of this issue. Firstly, I can not begin to fathom why men would do such a thing. It's wrong, disgusting, and unethical at the very least. Further, it can lead to physical AND mental issues that can even be permanent.

Men should start learning to control their dicks...honestly...if a woman says no to you, then that means no. No means no. Ever hear of consent!?!?! I understand that sometimes guys can get a little too rouddy, but that's no excuse. Sex isn't all about taking (pleasure) either...it's also about giving it.

Woman, on the other hand, can do things to prevent this too. For one thing, if you go partying, WITH other females, AND drink a lot, you better have someone to watch out for you. Or at least tryyyyy to avoid these places?

I'm not saying it's the responsibility of the woman to protect herself. There is very little you can do once a guy is on top of you smashing. And you're right, guys should not do this. However, I am nonethemore saying it's the responsibility of the man. Telling someone to not rape is like telling other to not kill. To not steal. To not bully. To not discriminate. To not hate. Etc. See my point? It's hard to tell someone to do something they know is wrong because they'll do it anyway. Terrorism????? How many times have we tried to stop them...? How many times has it worked in a complete ultimate form...

What I'm trying to say is this: society is fucked up. And in the situation with rape, it is not the male's nor the female's job to fix it. Even more so, neither the men nor the women alone of this system even have the capabilities of handling such a task to begin with! It has to be a group effort...we need to stop pointing finger because it honestly won't solve anything. Men, control your fucking dicks damn...take some testosterone depressants or something. And women, please protect yourselves. Because it is a cold, possibly even painful world out there and if you get hurt, there is only so much that people can do to help you. I hope that we can stop this madness and just grow up a little. Crazing sex? Using the escape goat card? Not everyone is in middle, are they? Spread the word!!! End rape.

I tried to look at this as objectively as I can. Also, I'm not going to publish my real name...for privacy reasons, yes. But also...so you don't point fingers at me. I'm not saying this because I'm a male. I'm not saying this because I'm a female. I'm saying this because everyone needs to open their eyes and see the truth. Stop. That's all there is to it. Stop. Period.

Finally (sorry this is really long XD) I find it terrible that this guy (football player) also point the finger. He says, "the girls always win." HELL there wouldn't even be a game to play if you didn't have sex with this chick...did you even ask her out bro?

Haha try to guess my gender if you can.

Sandy
9/28/2013 04:59:43 am

Ricardo, sure we unintentionally blame victims. Thanks, but I did not make that up. I even included examples 'n stuff.

Kevin
1/28/2014 09:48:59 am

Rape frat. Are you kidding me? Not condoning rape but if you go to a place where people may get raped, you give up your rights to not be raped. We all know crimes take place in Detroit, so if you go to Detroit and are victimized it is your fault" Then you shamelessly plug another bar with a shout out. I am quite certain all these UM apologists were ready to hang Jameis Winston at Florida St. and spoke of the corruption in SEC schools. So clear to me that further discussion of this would have revealed what Lewan said and the University of Michigan did not want to lose their thug Lineman and kicker. Kicking out of the school after the season and bowl games, what a pathetic institution.

Audrina
1/28/2014 11:36:44 pm

I don't think he was blaming the victim at all. As for women/girls being aware of where they are going, that is something you should do in every situation! Why are you ladies getting all pissy with this bloke bc he is reminding us that we should be careful??? There was nothing wrong with that! As a woman who when she was 12, 14, & 15 was raped and molested by people, I can tell you that me not speaking up only made it worse and me having a gut feeling being where I was would only lead to trouble and not going with it.... should have been more aware. I am not a shut in now by any means, I have moved on from the crap that has happened and everything. I am, however careful about who I allow myself to get drunk around, or how drunk/tipsy I get. If a man/boy has been drinking too, his moral compass isn't exactly pointing due north anymore, your inhibitions have been let loose, and so have his.

Just be aware of your surroundings.

I know of a couple girls from high school who had said they were raped, but the reality was that they just didn't want their parents to find out they were okay with it. They were afraid of getting into trouble. They had the vaginal tears, but once they finally came clean, it was realized that it was from it being their first times.

He is not trying to blame the victim here. Merely stating what we women and girls should already be doing, especially when we are 18 and over, we are adults, we need to be accountable for our whereabouts and actions too. If you know a particular group of males are known for raping women, or get around more than the average person, or treat women with less dignity than deserved regularly, why would you go party with them? I am not saying this is what happened there, just that this is something many young women do because they long for acceptance.

Dr Jack Grenan
2/3/2014 02:38:01 pm

Mike you say that on the U of M Campus there are rape frats! wow , this is totally unacceptable if true. If you put your name to this claim you have a responsibility, if you are a good person, to try to stop it, and if true you need to have evidence before condemning this University. So what evidence and responsibility will be forthcoming???

pepe
12/14/2014 11:39:21 pm

I think that he is simplistic on his approach, without calling guys rapist criminals, which by the way is a crime. It is the stranger danger approach, which make sense, since the authorities and university officials are not punishing these criminals.....I would go one step forward, give the girl a gun and maybe that moron will think it twice (lets open that Pandora box)....I know that it is extreme but at this point....

The
8/23/2013 01:18:41 pm

Nice spamming by Douglas Smith. Every 2 minutes an American is victim of sexual assault, yet you spam message boards and spread lies about a 3yr old case. You're pathetic -- you want to do something besides drive traffic to your blog, get off you lazy ass, get off your computer and actually do something.

Reply
anonymous
8/26/2013 07:16:46 pm

actually, he did do something. he brought me a sense of peace knowing that a criminal was brought to justice, even if his punishment was only shame rather than the jail time he likely deserved.

i'm an alumnus of the university of michigan and knew nothing of this incident until at least a dozen of my facebook friends posted it on their walls in outrage. i attended the university at the same time as brendan gibbons and could easily have been one of his victims- as a brunette nearly half his size- which seems to be his preferred victim. a criminal was not only allowed to walk the streets, but allowed to continue representing the university as an athlete.

criminals walking the streets is unsafe for the general public, let alone unsafe for people who are likely to become potential victims of said criminals. my safety was threatened by the police allowing this criminal to walk freely rather than putting him in jail where he belonged. that is why, three years later, i have a deep sense that justice was served by smith exposing this incident with his article.

i'm not here to argue whether brendan gibbons is guilty or not, because that was the job of law enforcement and they obviously failed at their job. but after reading this article i feel strongly that gibbons should have been put in jail and our justice system failed. thank you douglas smith for caring about people like me, victims of sexual assault who would prefer not become victims again in the future because BEING RAPED IS A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE NO PERSON SHOULD HAVE TO ENDURE.

have a great day, the.

Tell Universities to stop protecting rapests.
8/27/2013 07:38:15 am

@anonymous, thank you for sharing your feelings. The bottom line is that neither the Ann Arbor Police, nor the University of Michigan did anything about this. The message it sends is that woman can be raped and it's ok. There is no time when a man has the right to force sex on a woman yet society pats the men on the back when they talk about things like Gibbons did in this interview. What an insult to woman. A Kickers coach tells him to think of brunettes when he is getting ready to kick the ball. He knows he was accused of rape. What arrogance he is showing in this interview. It's almost like "ha, I got away with it, now let put it frosting on the cake." No humility. Women deserve more respect than this!

Football fan
2/3/2014 02:42:03 pm

UPDATE Gibbons was expelled from U of M!!

T James
1/28/2014 11:27:11 am

Doug Smith is a libelous motherfucker

Reply
UM Alum California
2/4/2014 10:27:44 am

It would appear that Douglas Smith is a retired Professor of Pathology at The University of Michigan Medical School.

annarborchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Comments-for-the-Regents-Meeting-1117111.pdf

I must say I hold UM to a higher standard than this. Coleman, Brandon and Hoke need to come clean about this.

James Bowman
5/10/2014 05:04:06 am

T James, what's the basis for your comment? I hope you're not trying to defend a piece of dog excrement like Brendan Gibbons. He'll eventually be charged with 1st degree CSC, and he'll eventually rot away in prison where he belongs.

Daniel Davis
1/29/2014 09:24:40 am

Only a matter of time before this pathetic hack website gets sued for libel. Their headline claims "coverup", yet they dont AT ANY TIME offer any evidence of any coverup whatsoever. They provide a nice timeline of events without discussing whether the police/DA had enough evidence to charge Gibbons NOR whether the alleged victim was willing to press charges. Gibbons' teammate threatening this woman ALSO proves nothing especially as it pertains to some supposed coverup. Show me anything, any SCRAP of EVIDENCE or FACTS that show ANYONE from the university of michigan covered this up. To this point you havent produced any relevant facts and your article smacks of hatred and bias against men and the university of michigan. A high school journalism teacher shouldnt grade this article above a D, its a complete joke masquerading as fact.

Reply
James Bowman
5/10/2014 04:56:43 am

Daniel, you are just a whore for the U of M football program. The fact that they didn't kick this scumbag off campus the day the complaint was filed but instead continued to use him on the football field, is proof enough of a cover-up.

James Bowman
5/10/2014 04:59:16 am

I apologize for the extraneous comma in my previous post! Apparently this site doesn't allow posts to be edited.

Required
2/4/2014 01:00:25 am

It's worth noting that campus police cannot "file criminal charges." Police don't charge crimes, they can only make arrests. Prosecutors charge crimes and make charging decisions. Also, the girl who was being threatened had no power to "press charges." Citizens cannot press charges, although the threats could have been to scare her off from participating as a witness, which would be crucial to the case. Once again, even if the girl doesn't want to press charges, that is not her decision -- it is completely within the prosecutor's discretion.

Reply
None
8/15/2013 02:38:31 pm

"Have you" not "Any you"

Reply
Laser the Liquidator link
8/16/2013 07:15:04 am

I'm going to repost this story on various websites/ blogs etc.

It is worthwhile that we also have a discussion on how to campaign against the cronyism & corruption surrounding the cover up of the sexual assault.

Please don't let this case go?

It would only encourage bullies to brutalize others.

Sincerely
Laser Haas
a 1in5 Victim of Sexual Assaults

Reply
tom
12/23/2013 06:06:43 pm

What cover up? Not enough evidence, no charges. Do you really think michigan is going to cover for a freshman kicker?

Reply
c w kauffman link
8/17/2013 12:40:08 am

This is the "Michigan Way"...coverup and deceive...whether it is rape, child pornography, medical malpractice, extortion, plagiarism, espionage and treason, etc, etc, because you have obtained protection in high places.

Reply
Dave
8/20/2013 04:00:45 am

You all need to get a life and stop trying to blow this up into something it's not. Clearly this girl just wants attention because he turned her down..

Reply
Someone
8/20/2013 08:42:31 am

Clearly.

Idiot.

Reply
Jon B
8/20/2013 09:13:38 am

This is possibly the most embarrassing state I've heard in a very long time. Vaginal tearing cannot be faked

Reply
Steve
8/20/2013 12:43:52 pm

Please, show me where it says she had vaginal tearing other than in this article? He has proof that the girl was threatened and that there was bruising. If she really had a hospital report that there was vaginal tearing it would have been stated in a police report.

Jay
8/21/2013 06:18:37 am

Information:

http://www.gynogab.com/2012/04/can-sex-cause-vaginal-tears-or-bruises.html

Richard Sympson
8/22/2013 03:11:23 am

Steve - maybe if you read the third from last paragraph in the victim's account of the rape, you would see that statement. Maybe you were skimming a bit too fast because you thought that it's all a lie anyway?

ajlynema
8/28/2013 11:35:40 pm

But Vaginal tearing can also be obtained by ways other than rape. Rough drunk sex can lead to that as well as orgys. But it's much easier to just assume it was rape. Both being drunk as they both admitted, it could easily be just rough drunk sex that they had but then she felt embarrassed because she only had sex with the kicker and not a better player on the team.

SteveS
8/22/2013 01:51:56 pm

He didn't turn her down...he said they had sex...Girl wants attention? Not sure this is the kind of attention anyone wants at a big ten school. Don't be an idiot man.

Reply
Carla
8/22/2013 02:55:23 pm

To whoever said "there's no way you can have vaginal tearing during consensual sex" my question to you is HAVE YOU EVER EVEN HAD SEX BEFORE? It happens all the time especially if you've been drinking and it gets a little rough. Who the hell likes to have gentle sex

SteveS
8/22/2013 01:55:12 pm

Aside from the fact that he admitted to having sex with her (the consent is in question- so he obviously didn't turn her down), I doubt that this is the kind of attention you want at a big ten school. Also, filling a report right after the incident is more reliable. I obviously can't say what happened. But, don't say "clearly" when none of your points make any sense.

Reply
Lynn
9/6/2013 02:35:58 am

you're an idiot. seriously don't procreate

Reply
Jonathan
10/12/2013 11:44:59 pm

Wow... you're an idiot. Covering up rape is disgusting and Michigan should be ashamed of themselves AND the girl should have sued the school for the cover up. gibbons sucks anyway and Lewan is overrated.

Reply
Yawn
8/20/2013 04:29:32 am

This story is 3 years old. Your writing is as poor as your investigative skills.

Reply
Jacob
8/20/2013 06:54:26 am

How old were the Penn State stories? That was going on for years. You dumbass

Reply
Jacob is a dumbass
8/20/2013 07:27:34 am

Sandusky victims didnt file a police report or make any effort to get him arrested FOR YEARS. This woman did almost immediately, you dumbass.

Really?
8/20/2013 04:44:38 am

If I didn't know any better I would think this story was written by someone close to the victim. I don't think I've ever read a more obviously bias piece of "journalism" in my life. You realize the victim never pressed charges, right?

Reply
spb
8/20/2013 09:07:50 am

you mean biasED. and it's undeniable that UM's football program is among the more cocooned and protected in the country. that's just the way it is in a town where everyone's "with the program"........or else.

Reply
gskane99
8/21/2013 09:13:24 pm

Not sure if you realize it or not, but victims do not press charges. Only prosecutors in Michigan press charges. However, if the police report never gets to the prosecutor, no charges can be filed. Someone along the way decided this wasn't an assault, looks like the police according to the story. Whoever that was needs to explain their reasoning.

Reply
Victoria
8/22/2013 02:11:59 am

You do realize that most women never even file a report to begin with because people vilify and disbelieve rape victims right? Particularly when it comes to well connected people, like say, football players at the University of Michigan.

Reply
Jack
8/20/2013 04:45:23 am

This story has some serious flaws. It is not Lewan standing behind Gibbons in that video for one, its Van Bergen. Nice story troll!

Reply
Douglas Smith
8/20/2013 06:56:25 am

Thanks for the correction. I have now fixed it.

Reply
rob
8/20/2013 04:47:01 pm

http://annarborchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Comments-for-the-Regents-Meeting-1117111.pdf

Reply
What a sham...
8/20/2013 04:50:07 am

The bias (and poor writing) of this piece is absolutely abismal. Before anyone reads this article and gets ready to grab a pitchfork, please read other information surrounding this case. Crap the "message on Facebook" gives zero additional credibility. Heck, the author could have written it themselves. "He was a large and powerful athlete, and she was 106 lbs" - give me a break. Nice to see the author trying to slant the readers viewpoint only a few lines into the article.

Reply
Spelling Police
8/20/2013 05:46:10 am

Love you referencing "poor writing" and misspelling abysmal

Reply
Sham
8/22/2013 10:57:52 am

What a sham

Reply
bear
8/24/2013 08:10:31 pm

You complain about poor writing and then immediately follow it with "abismal" How stupid is that? It's "abysmal", you illiterate! I don't think much of your opinion, considering your own prejudice in the mix, along with a certain level of illiteracy.

Reply
!
8/20/2013 04:53:10 am

Relentless little bugger, aren't ya?

http://annarborchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Comments-for-the-Regents-Meeting-1117111.pdf

Reply
m.a.melby link
8/30/2013 03:14:02 pm

To the person who said it made no sense that she didn't end of pressing charges. Just think if it were you (or someone who love), and someone threatened to rape you again if you pressed charges and you KNEW that the type of idiots that are plainly in view in these blog comments would harassed and threaten you for hurting football if you did....what would you do?

ANY excuse to disbelieve the account and dismiss her; you'll take.

People are not raped at the rates we see because there are a few horrible people out there - they continue to be raped because so many people don't give a shit and those "few horrible people" just keep raping and raping and raping and laughing about it.

So, yeah, I know where I and other woman stand in some people's minds...well below kicking a ball over a metal beam.

If there is anything inaccurate about this story, clarification should be given.

However, don't fucking tell me this "doesn't make sense" - this happens EVERY FUCKING DAY.

Reply
AMF
8/20/2013 05:14:13 am

This article is terrible. For one, this story was 3+ years ago and wasn't covered up as the local media did report on it. Second, you mean to tell me she went to 5 different resources to attempt to get him in trouble but wouldn't press charges due to privacy concerns?!

That makes no sense whatsoever.

Furthermore, you've written this so as to give the impression that the accused party has already been proven guilty. If he did it, he most certainly should be punished accordingly but this garbage article only left me with the impression that you're looking for clicks to your website and the timing with which you've posted this reinforces that notion.

Reply
You Michigan football fans are pathetic
8/20/2013 05:18:36 am

All of you Michigan football fans trying to discount this story are pathetic. Try to separate your Walmart Wolverine from real life before you go defending a rapist and Lewan who threatened her with further rape. You should be ashamed.

Reply
You are an ignorant douchebag
8/20/2013 05:35:45 am

Apparently an absence of charges and a legal investigation don’t matter to you. How do you know that a rape occurred? Where you there?

It isn’t “discounting a rape”, but rather asking why there was not legal investigation that would provide the physical evidence needed to prove or disprove the accusations.

You are a lowlife. That much is clear.

Reply
Shoe on the other foot
8/20/2013 06:39:08 am

I wonder what your reaction to the Penn State scandal was...

rob
8/20/2013 04:46:13 pm

http://annarborchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Comments-for-the-Regents-Meeting-1117111.pdf

sparty gon spart
8/20/2013 07:47:24 am

Glass Houses Buddy

Reply
Ryan
8/20/2013 04:16:50 pm

Irony from UM fans... Felon starting on your dline.

Stop Universities from protecting rapists.
8/21/2013 12:40:40 am

The point is that the University of Michigan has a policy to which they are required to investigate and take action against a person who commits or is accused of committing a rape. If I am correct, this did not happen in the Gibbens case. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/10/unc-rape-survivors-discus_n_3573963.html

Reply
Rachel
8/21/2013 06:29:22 am

This is 100% the point!! The university, from what I can tell, did NOTHING. The newspapers did not report on it. This would be front page news before we even knew if charges were going to be filed, let alone if he was found guilty, in every other university and you all know it. How many times have you seen stories that come out AFTER someone is found guilty? Never. You see stories after someone is accused. I don't know if he did it or not (though the victim seems entirely credible to me) but the fact that no mainstream papers in Michigan covered it tells me that something stinks to high hell in Denmark, er, Ann Arbor.

Rachel
8/21/2013 06:59:41 am

This is exactly the point! In every other state, before charges were even filed, the media would have been all over it. What kind of control does U of M have over local media that this never made the news?? And with all the reports, even though the girl was embarrassed and didn't want to press charges, why did the university do nothing? Shameful.

Kenny Stickney
8/20/2013 05:24:50 am

You folks sure have some pretty football players. I really love the long hair, beards, and general lack of hygiene.

You elitist douches will get a reckoning one day.

Reply
UM fans are sick
8/20/2013 05:28:04 am

These UM fans sound exactly like PSU fans defending JoePa. Take off the blinders.

Reply
The Above Poster is Sick
8/20/2013 05:37:04 am

You sound like a person who supports lynching. Take off the blinders.

Reply
rob
8/20/2013 04:48:00 pm

http://annarborchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Comments-for-the-Regents-Meeting-1117111.pdf

Haha
8/20/2013 10:23:50 am

This sounds like sparty fans. Definitely, this is the norm for what occurs in the sparty football program. Oh, little brother

Reply
Bux
8/24/2013 02:29:46 am

Little brother who you've beaten once in the past 5 years?

ajlynema
8/28/2013 11:40:41 pm

You obviously don't have a little brother Bux. Because in my experience, you need to let little brother win some, otherwise he doesn't want to play anymore. I once became so dominant against my brother at Madden, he refused to play me for 3 years.

Chase
8/20/2013 05:30:25 am

I think it is important to talk about cases like this to prevent crimes from happening and cause positive reform, but the author's tone and presentation of the case are inappropriate and contain inaccuracies that causes the reader to doubt the veracity of the woman's story and makes it seem more like a personal attack that does not help further the cause to effect change.

1. How does Brendan Gibbons' on-field performance relate at all to the case. Why is it necessary to point out he was the "butt of jokes." All this does is to further the impression that the author is not relating facts but telling a slanted view of the story.

2. That is NOT Taylor Lewan in the video with Brendan Gibbons as pointed out above. If the author cannot even identify what Taylor Lewan looks like, how can we believe that he even knows that Lewan made these accusations? How can the reader trust the facts laid out when a mistake this glaring is contained in this blog?

Reply
Douglas Smith
8/20/2013 06:57:21 am

Thank you for the correction. It is now fixed.

Reply
Banky
8/21/2013 01:03:17 am

So, Mr. Smith, if Lewan threatened her, was it verbally or was it done electronically, because if it was via text or facebook, there would be record of it, and extremely hard to deny that it occured, or was this just something the victim told you?

Other than that, sad story, never hope these things are true because they are incredibly sad.

Also, what's strange is that many UofM fans would have loved Gibbons off the team after 2010. And they have removed multiple players at much higher profile positions on the team to say they completely cover up everything.

jm
8/21/2013 05:12:59 am

I'll tell you what really disturbs me about your reporting - two significant misstatements of fact.

1) You have a report of bruises on one arm. These are not indicative of anything but bruises on someone's arm. You know full well that evidence of vaginal tearing is much more significant, and you repeat this allegation as fact but have zero evidence. Produce evidence that there is a police report, an authenticated rape exam kit, anything of the sort or clearly state that the only source for this allegation is the woman's own statements.

2) You irresponsibly misstate the police report regarding Lewan's statement - which you, again, know full well, would be damaging if Lewan said what you claim he said.

According to police report he said "if she (claims there was a rape), he's going to rape her, because (Gibbons) didn't." Now that statement is appalling, taken on its own. It's inappropriate and, on its face, uses rape as a threat, which is unpardonable.

But it is a very different statement from "(he would) rape her again." "Rape her again" is an admission by Gibbons' close friend that there has been a previous rape. Pretty significant. And utterly bogus. Your credibility is completely undermined by this blatant distortion. It is hard to imagine a watchdog, such as yourself, would not recall the exact words in Lewan's statement. That's not an innocent mistake - that's a misrepresentation to support an agenda.

I don't care about things like mislabeling Lewan in a photo (although that is shoddy reporting). I care that two of the main pillars of your story are either unsupported or manifestly inaccurate.

I'd push on the Joe Reynolds angle. I'm curious to know if he really does support the accuser's side of the story. Again, we unfortunately have no proof from you that Reynolds has ever said the things you attribute to him except second-hand statements by the accuser.

ryan
8/20/2013 05:49:07 am

The writer of this article should be made aware that judging someone guilty of a crime is libel. Mr. Smith has provided no physical evidence that a rape occurred, only that accusations were made.

Since charges were never filed and Gibbons was never judged guilty or not guilty, Mr. Smith’s assertion is then scurrilous.

No one knows besides Gibbons and the alleged victim what went on that night. Writing articles and presenting letters to the regents about an alleged crime is nothing but whistling into the wind without a formal investigation. An investigation that can only happen with the connivance of the purported victim.

Mr. Smith should be pushing the alleged victim to file charges, not spreading accusations that haven’t been subjected to the scrutiny of an investigation.

Reply
Walmart Wolverines all over the place defending rape
8/20/2013 05:55:08 am

Take a look in the mirror and ask how important a random football team is while you're defending rape

Reply
Ray
8/20/2013 09:27:04 am

But...most these comments don't focus on the football team or impacts such a case would have on the football team and nobody is defending rape. Rather, they point out that there are key components of this accusation missing in order to prove or disprove guilt. People saying how the "attitude" portrayed in the comments "is the problem" in cases like this are talking more out of emotion than they are out of common sense. I'm sorry, but if a man or woman accused YOU of rape, you wouldn't automatically want to be guilty in the eyes of the general public just because you're publicly accessible (i.e. an athlete), would you?

None of us knows what happened specifically and it is not our place to make assumptions that could ruin the alleged victim or defendant's reputations in the long term.

Reply
Adam
9/6/2013 04:38:22 am

Maybe you should understand that we really don't care if we lose a kicker. What we would rather do is make sure a guy's life isn't ruined by hanging him before being convicted. Oh wait, she didn't want to press charges due to privacy. So I guess we won't convict him. If he did indeed rape her, then I hope he goes to jail and rots in there until the jail falls down and they build another jail on top of him.

Reply
JMP
8/20/2013 06:34:14 am

Not sure if it's true or not, but the comments certainly back the victims perception of how she would be treated if pressing charges. Some of you should be ashamed of yourselves. This problem won't ever go away if you maintain these attitudes.

Reply
Tell Universities to stop protecting rapists.
8/21/2013 01:38:16 am

Thank you JMP! It is a shame that women are treated like this when it involves a football player. The issue is the failure of the University to enforce their own policy. Just like the pediatric porn case, this was not handled properly as it should have been.

Reply
ryan
8/20/2013 06:40:35 am

Really hate the writer GOT EASY FACTS WRONG LIKE IT WASN'T LEWAN IN VIDEO. LITTLE SCARY HE CAN BE THAT BAD AT REPORTING

Reply
>_>
8/20/2013 06:59:49 am

When I search Brendan Gibbons rape on yahoo, nothing shows up, faker.

Reply
Mr. Obvious
8/20/2013 09:08:41 am

That was kind of his point. And there have been a handful of posters asking for evidence, immediately calling into question their reading comprehension. Semen on her outfit and vaginal tearing. Also, the FACT that she reported it immediately to several places that should have had her back. Yeah, that sounds like a girl out to get attention and not an actual rape victim. Oh wait, no it doesn't.

Keep telling yourselves it was just a misunderstanding.

Reply
jm
8/21/2013 05:22:07 am

No - you are the one with reading comprehension issues. Smith has glossed over the total lack of evidence regarding vaginal tearing. The accuser claims there was vaginal tearing and you've taken that as gospel. But while there is a police report mentioning bruises on her arm, Smith has yet to provide any police report, rape kit exam report, or anything else that supports the allegation.

Shocking
8/20/2013 10:12:06 pm

You mean there isn't direct video evidence of the rape occurring?! Well then it most certainly could not have occurred....

Reply
Jim Albertson
8/21/2013 02:53:42 am

>_>: just like Yahoo doesn't have anything about the Aussie baseball player getting killed by "bored" kids

Reply
Duh
12/6/2013 04:27:50 am

That because you searched on Yahell. Try a real search engine :-|

Reply
UM Fans are biased
8/20/2013 07:53:49 am

I guarantee all of you UM fans on here claiming that because no charges were pressed nothing happened, are the same ones wishing Meyer would have kicked Hyde off OSU. After all the girl didnt press any charges.

Reply
RT
8/20/2013 08:24:57 am

Yep, and the same UM fans that accuse MSU of covering up the Payne/Appling incident and get all self-righteous about their conduct.

Reply
Adam
9/6/2013 04:53:46 am

I actually thought Hyde should stay on because he didn't have any charges brought to him. You wanting to find bias in a fan base does not make the fan base biased.

Reply
Matt
8/20/2013 08:23:50 am

If this happened at OSU,MSU or any other college the same Michigan fans on here now berating the article and questioning the girl would be the same one's tearing apart another teams players and coaches for how they handled it. Sometimes I am ashamed to be a Michigan fan cause we have fans who are just as fanatical and crazy as Buckeye's and Spartans but yet are in to denial to admit it and see it.

Reply
yep
8/20/2013 11:29:23 am

Nailed it!!!

Reply
Idiot Basher
8/20/2013 08:52:06 am

I wouldn't be surprised in the least if this sad attempt at journalism gets legal action against it.

You openly admit in the comments of getting things wrong and (correcting it). Great investigative work, Gadget.

Also, how is there a cover up when there is nothing to cover up? SHE refused to press charges despite numerous advisors telling her to charge on.

And how did Lewan intimidate her when he never talked to ghe alleged victim or any of her friends?

Just sad, sad journalism all around. Can we say "Duke LaCrosse"?

Reply
rob
8/20/2013 04:49:00 pm

http://annarborchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Comments-for-the-Regents-Meeting-1117111.pdf

Reply
Tell Universities to stop protecting rapists
8/21/2013 08:01:03 am

Idiot Basher, the point is regardless of her decision to "charge on," the University did nothing to enforce their own policy on rape. Why didn't they investigate her claims and take action to discipline Mr. Gibbons? Why is he now their star kicker? How can any female college student trust a University that does not take their claims serious? You might want to look up the Universities policy on rape. There is enoug evidence to warrant a serious investigation and at the very least, a suspension or dismissal from the football team. Honestly, are women so undervalued in society that it's just ok?

Reply
ajlynema
8/30/2013 06:11:39 am

They don't investigate rape claims if the victim doesn't want to press charges. That is what they stated to her at that time and has been their stance the whole time. Why would they investigate anything if the victim doesn't want anything done?

Strange...this is 4 years old
8/20/2013 08:55:26 am

You've gone to great extent trying to make sure this website sure gets a lot of hits you've succeeded nicely. Curious though why take the Facebook conversation down of the alleged victim contacting you? The police reports white out or black out any identifying names so to accuse Lewan or anyone else of things that aren't true is a crime in itself. Careful if this gets out and hurts Lewan's draft stock he can go after you. Chances are you don't have the coin to deal with that kind of lawsuit. You've been to the regents 7 times that I've found. You kind of seem obsessed with the power of organizations.

Reply
RT
8/20/2013 09:48:52 am

Libel is very difficult to prove, as you have to both prove that the accusations are false and that the author essentially knew them to be false but published them anyway. In this case, I think the author believes the victim's account is true and has published what he heard from the victim, augmented by the police reports, admittedly written in a very biased way, but that is not libel.

Reply
Reply
8/20/2013 10:00:27 am

True.. I agree and know. Just if he really went mainstream about it. You never know lawyers are scary people sometimes.

ajlynema
8/30/2013 06:13:27 am

I think it would be easy to prove here as the author has altered the police reports taking out the correct name and implying that it was Lewan. If it wasn't and it was a different name on the police report, that would be simple to prove I think.

Matt
8/21/2013 05:34:23 am

I will tell you why he's not in any danger of being sued. It's cause the said players involved are guilty and all he would have to do is pull the girl on the stand in any suit against him and she would testify that she was indeed raped. Neither Lewan nor Gibbons nor the University want that to happen so they will just deal with whatever happens from Mr.Smith posting this. I am ashamed to be a Michigan fan right now. Some of you can't separate the crazed fan from whats right and wrong. The girl in question dedicated all her spare time to victims rights of rape and making girls aware of what to do if they were raped the rest of her time at Michigan. She graduated with honor's and even won the student of the year award. Gibbon's raped the girl there is not a doubt in my mind or anybody that isn't some irrational football fan. If some of you on here are Father's and have daughters you should be ashamed for your comments. Your bashing this guy for wanting to show people a young girl was raped and the Football player who did is still on the team. We're supposed to be the Leaders and the Best not try to cover up like all the rest.

Reply
Matt Damon
8/22/2013 10:45:23 am

You can't kick someone out of school for a crime they
1.) Never were charged with
2.) Never found guilty of charged crime in a court of law
Filing a police report and not wanting to press charges is not enough ground to boot someone.

Bashing a guy for writing an awful report thats one sided and poorly investigated. The school in recent past has had zero issue with dismissing athletes from the school dealing with these types of crimes. Especially a no-name worthless kicker. The guy was awful and was lucky his own bad play didn't get him booted off the team.The fact that he can't even figure out who the other Michigan football player was proves my point.

There is not enough evidence to state what happened because we don't know. We know some old guys story who has a bone to pick with the university and the county. He is bringing up a very old outdated story that the news did cover and did report on but there isn't more to the story if you don't have a legal case to build it around. All these reports are just a bunch of words on paper with no weight to them without a court case. You have to actually have a case and a charge in order to "cover" something up.

Judge
8/20/2013 09:06:31 am

This is michigan....

Reply
Hmmm
8/20/2013 09:22:04 am

"The only report in the newspaper was anonymous because the Ann Arbor Police refused to confirm that he was under arrest or that he was being investigated for rape. "

The reason it was anonymous is because lawsuits can happen when charges aren't pressed. For example, the one that will be issued against you by Gibbons.

Reply
Aren't you clever?
8/20/2013 10:18:14 pm

You really think Gibbons is going to waste time and money suing a writer from the washentaw watchdogs on a charge that incredibly difficult to convict? Come on now...

Reply
Tom
8/20/2013 09:29:51 am

WHAT A BUNCH OF BS. None of those story makes any sense Lewan wasn't even pointed as one of the people at this party and plus THIS WAS UNDER RR. Hoke has nothing to do with this period. Idk why this would surface now after 3+ years?

Reply
terry replogle
8/20/2013 09:50:45 am

Looks like this story is gaining a little steam..I seen it on 2or3 other websites

Reply
yeah
8/20/2013 10:02:56 am

He's running around and putting it everywhere. Not to mention someone posted it on a popular Michigan site. He's trying to promote this website.

Reply
Found ya..
8/20/2013 09:58:35 am

if you wanna know more about this guy google him. Former Dr at UofM, alum, highly upset with the university, obsessed with the "power" the university has... Can't tell if he quit or got fired..If he got fired that would make a lot of sense why he has such hate for the school. Was employed from 2006-2009.

Scroll close to the bottom to find his picture if your curious and some of his issues with the University.

http://annarborchronicle.com/2010/09/19/um-regents-updated-research-renovations/

Editorial he wrote in
http://www.annarbor.com/news/opinion/university-of-michigan-should-revert-to-the-shared-governance-model-that-made-it-a-great-institution/

Tea Party page
http://willowruntpc.ning.com/profile/DougSmith

He's trying to save the world..

A whole list of things come up at the UofM regent meetings.
http://www.regents.umich.edu/search.html?q=douglas+smith

You seem to be pretty out there.
Why'd you quit medicine?

Reply
Because he's a hypocrite
8/20/2013 11:28:00 am

You didn't find all that's out there on ol' Doug. Check out the end of my post for a link to his friend getting arrested and him complaining bitterly about the lack of due process. It's funny how Doug Smith is so adamant about Gibbons being guilty before ever being given the right of due process, yet when the tables were turned and a colleague of Mr. Smith was arrested, he demanded the rights of due process before finding his friend guilty.

Of particular interest is Smith's assertion, while defending his arrested friend, that "It is improper for an officer to act as though Dr. Borisov is guilty of a complaint that the party is unwilling even to make officially." Sort of like what happened to Mr. Gibbons when his accuser refused to press charges. Just enter the following address as a hyperlink to find out what kind of hypocrisy Douglas M. Smith is capable of.

http://michigandaily.com/files/DPS%20Grievance.pdf

Reply
Yuppp
8/20/2013 12:24:28 pm

Only reason I didn't include it is it lists his personal information, notice how he hasn't responded he's a bitter old man. He thinks the world is out to get him.

jm
9/16/2013 01:41:02 am

This guy doesn't seem to respond to any of the challenging questions. I think he weakens his case, considerably, by disappearing when anything difficult to answer is put on the table.

Sparty
8/20/2013 11:22:32 am

Sadly, this is what happens at msu all the time. I am so embarrassed by my program and the lack of education by our fans. I know why we are called little brother all the time, and it honestly couldn't be more true

Reply
Shug Jordan link
8/20/2013 12:00:29 pm

Lizzy Seeberg, a 19-year-old freshman at Saint Mary’s College, across the street from Notre Dame, committed suicide after accusing an ND football player of sexually assaulting her. It appears she was telling the truth but no one over there wanted to listen. Rule #1 of any fan base, don't mess with the program. How dare those kids complain about Jerry Sandusky.

Reply
MJ
8/23/2013 11:29:27 am

A couple of years ago I had a series of player named Facebook fan pages. People are dumb and don't read so many assumed that these pages were the players' real pages. Many people. Still do. Anyway,I had a Manti Teo page ,which he knew about and would message us from time to time. We'd also forward him messages from girls, family members,etc. One day a girl from ND sent him a terrible message cursing him to high hell for "leaving" her at some party where she said several of his teammates raped her and beat her up. Her words. I forwarded the message to Manti, who clearly knew her, and told him that he was playing with fire. He thanked us for not going public and a few weeks later, got our page taken down by Facebook. A month or so after he did that, I heard about the girl who'd committed suicide shortly before then. And then shortly after that...his imaginary girlfriend surfaced. Not saying Gibbons did this, and not saying ND has a team of rapists. Am saying there is a rape culture out there, especially amongst some major cfb athletes. Also saying when they do rape, you're damn right the school, program,etc covers it up. If you think they don't I'd be willing to bet you haven't set foot on any of these campuses so revered by non-alumni fans, and also that athletes are like God to you, rendering you completely clueless to the things that go on behind the scenes. PS?.why didn't we share the info when we had it? I wasn't sure it was true and as a friend to many cfb and nfl players, I didn't want to hurt mantis career without all of the facts. Imagine my horror when I heard about the suicide.:(

Typical u of m guy
8/20/2013 12:13:38 pm

This was in the past! We are only allowed to talk about the past when referencing our championships before 1950!!

Reply
Bob Ufer
8/20/2013 12:16:27 pm

Don't know the validity of the accusations.

Wolverine fans don't either. But it sure is gutless to automatically attack the message. You guys are so certain that this is false, you should making every effort to have it covered. You know, get the truth out there.

I doubt you will be able to stop this story now, it will make one of sports talk shows.

BTW, if this story is true, Lewan was an idiot to stay.

Reply
CED
8/20/2013 12:29:27 pm

Why is the police report so redacted? If it was secured under FOIA, why are the names blanked out? In reading it, sounds like some very poor judgment by both parties. Frankly, if Gibbons showed such poor judgment, taking advantage of an obviously impaired co-ed (at best), then he should have been removed from team, even if not prosecuted, as it would send a clear message that this is totally unacceptable behavior for someone given an opportunity to represent the University through an athletic scholarship. I do see why the state attorney's office refused to prosecute though, as the girl's recollections and testimony seems to clouded due to alcohol impairment. Doesn't excuse Gibbons conduct in any way and that's not what I'm saying. It's just a bad situation that could have been avoided and just further underscores the problems with underage drinking on campus.

Reply
I can help you
8/20/2013 12:30:28 pm

send this to deadspin. they will follow up and bring out what truly happened. They broke the Manti Te'o story and I'm sure they would do what is necessary with this to get to the truth

Reply
Robin
8/20/2013 12:35:59 pm

It's so funny that so many Michigan fans are defending this guy when about 2 years ago, every Michigan fan I know was calling Notre Dame a corrupt and despicable place all because a football player was never charged for touching a girl's breast. He didn't rape her, even the girl accusing him of assault only reported that he touched her breast and another player on the team threatened her to not mess with ND football. But when a Michigan player is actually accused of rape and there is vaginal tearing and his semen on her clothes, that's nothing, right? Talk about some hypocrites. The sad thing is that this incident happened before the Notre Dame alleged assault and apparently was made public at the time, though I sure never heard about any player from Michigan being accused of rape. A Notre Dame player supposedly touches a girl's breast, no evidence other than the girl's statement, and it is national news. A Michigan player allegedly rapes a girl with evidence and nobody I know has ever heard about it.

Reply
Notre who?
8/20/2013 01:09:55 pm

Except there was plenty of evidence in the ND case and that is why it made national news

Reply
Geno
8/20/2013 01:55:18 pm

Are these the type of players missagain recruits.. WOW!!!!

Reply
Ken Slamkowski
9/6/2013 07:39:15 am

I raped 12 brunettes and never got drafted... damn... back to the old grinding stone.

Reply
Joe
8/20/2013 02:15:33 pm

As an addendum to this whole fiasco, does anyone else find it disturbing that someone with such poor writing skills could be employed by the University of Michigan? And so little concept how to frame an investigative 'report' so as not to come off as a delusional family member of the accused?

Reply
M
12/6/2013 02:33:05 am

Crying wolf. Give me attention. Give me money. I hate gold-diggers and their families.

Reply
katrinka
8/20/2013 08:57:52 pm

I'M A PROUD WOLVERINE FAN, HOWEVER I FEEL WHAT HE DID WAS HORRIBLE AND SHOULD BE PUNISHED FULLY TO THE MAX!! IT'S SAD THAT ANN ARBOR POLICE COVERED IT UP, I WAS A VICTIM MYSRLF AT THE AGE OF 5 , SO I HAVE NO MERCY FOR PIGS HOWEVER MICHIGAN IS A RESPECTED AND CLASSEY PROGRAM AND I KNIW WE WILL RISE ABOVE IT! IT'S SAD ONE ASS HAS TO GIVE US A BAD NAME, BUT IF YOU WANT THE TRUTH ESPECIALLY YOU OHIO STATE FANS LET'S DIG A LITTLE DEEPER INTO YOUR OWN ......JUST SAYING YOU JUST HAD A BOY DISMISSED FROM YOUR SCHOOL HERE RECENTLY FOR BRAGGING ABOUT A HIGH SCHIOL GIRL BEING RAPED THEN HE HAD THE BALLS TO VIDEO TAPE IT .....PROUDLY WEARING HIS OHIO STATE SHIRT ON CAMERA.....CAREFUL THERE ARE MORE OUT THERE AT ALL UNIVERSITIES AND LOOK AT WHOSE REIGN IT WAS UNDER ....RICH ROD.....YEA NOW THERE'S A ROLE MODEL JUST SAYING!! GO BLUE!!

Reply
tyler freeze
9/6/2013 07:47:15 am

CAPS LOCK off. I don't know how you can stand writing in your illiterate tone. Nobody cares about your story.

Reply
to tyler freezr
9/6/2013 11:38:57 am

Don't be an ass! Her being able to say that happened my help another person to be able to tell someone it happened to them. If she/he was your daughter/son you would want her/him to have the courage to tell you. So people doo care about her story!

tyler freeze
9/6/2013 12:45:55 pm

All I have to say is RICH ROD

Brad
8/20/2013 11:07:28 pm

I look to certainty, I understand what she suggests and where he stands. Nonetheless Lewan's threat was clear and disgusting. I think someone should rape him.

Reply
Police Report Misleads
8/20/2013 11:13:34 pm

The police report the victim gave accounting the night of the incident in question is terribly misleading to damage the victims credibility. Im not sure why the officer had written "she stated" so many times but I would guarantee it was done with malicious intent.

Reply
Tell Universities to stop protecting rapists.
8/21/2013 12:53:50 am

http://credo.actionkit.com/sign/rape_on_campus?source=fb_share4

Please sign the petition to stop Universities from protecting rapists. There has been a recent group of women speaking up about college rape and I am disappointed to see that the University of Michigan case is not mentioned. Rape is rape regardless of how long ago it happened. If the University has a policy, they should follow that policy regardless of what the victim decides to do. Surely she was intimidated, as this is what happens to anyone who dares to be different at the University of Michigan. No one wants "their Maize in Blue," to ever be wrong and it seems that many folks would crucify an innocent victim for the sake of keeping their blue blooded reputation. I love University of Michigan and only wish that more people would speak up and help make the changes that are so desperately needed there.

Reply
Tell Universities to stop protecting rapists.
8/21/2013 12:58:41 am

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/10/unc-rape-survivors-discus_n_3573963.html

Rape Victims speak out about the lack of accountability within the Universities. UNC

Reply
Tell Universities to stop protecting rapists.
8/21/2013 12:58:57 am

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/10/unc-rape-survivors-discus_n_3573963.html

Rape Victims speak out about the lack of accountability within the Universities. UNC

Reply
Tell Universities to stop protecting rapists.
8/21/2013 12:59:07 am

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/10/unc-rape-survivors-discus_n_3573963.html

Rape Victims speak out about the lack of accountability within the Universities. UNC

Reply
jim albertson
8/21/2013 03:16:35 am

By law when alcohol is a factor, no one can consent.

Reply
Lemmy
8/21/2013 03:22:59 am

1) Is this even a legitimate website or something you created for this story? Other than this rape scandal, you only have two other "issues" which aren't even investigations.

2) who did the redacting? The AAPD or you?

Reply
bamboozled
8/21/2013 05:25:26 am

So he likes brunette girls; makes sense since he has one hanging on his shoulder during the interview.

Reply
Sidney
8/21/2013 10:21:53 am

Thank you for publishing this. It is deplorable how victims of rape are intimidated into silence by their perps. The University of Michigan's actions here are frightening and disgusting for an educational institution. Please get the word out to all the major news organizations and bloggers. All it takes is for 1 investigative reporter to blow this wide open.

Reply
Daniel Dever link
8/21/2013 11:39:25 am

As a lawyer, I would encourage Gibbons and Lewan to consult with lawyers about possible defamation by Dr. Smith. The blog host can likely produce the prior versions of the defamatory statements, plus obvious falsities are still contained within the report. There seems to be a lot of evidence surrounding Dr. Smith's bias that can show malicious intent as well.

Reply
John
8/23/2013 01:52:55 am

As a lawyer you wouldn't give the alleged victim any advice?

Reply
Tell universities to stop protecting rapests.
8/21/2013 03:01:32 pm

There seems to be a problem with Universities. See this recent article. http://chronicle.com/article/Quiet-No-Longer-Rape/141049/#

Reply
Critical Reader
8/21/2013 04:40:49 pm

The biggest reason why the university did little to nothing against Gibbons that seems lost on a lot of people?
The incident took place off campus . . . the University nor the Department of Public Safety (campus police) has jurisdiction over the fraternity houses because they aren't on campus. So the university administration has to default to the Ann Arbor Police Department for information, and if no charges are levied, what can the university do? The University Housing Security officer and the Campus Police both told her, "Call the Ann Arbor Police Department - We don't have jurisdiction if it happened in a frat house."
If this had taken place in a dormitory or in a university building/on campus, I'm sure the outcome would have been very different and Mr. Gibbons would be in a different color uniform at this moment.
Mr. Smith should redirect his vitriol at the Ann Arbor Police Department and the Washtenaw County District Attorney's Office for not charging Mr. Gibbons with sexual assault. The University can't help it if its hands were legally tied to dole out punishment.
And on a bit of a unrelated note . . . if the victim had been of Chinese decent, I'm certain Mr. Smith wouldn't have run this story . . . he knows what I'm talking about.

Reply
just sayin
8/22/2013 07:50:32 am

4 beers and a shot is a LOT for a 106 lb girl...

Reply
B
8/22/2013 10:30:47 am

And that's the Michigan difference.

Reply
jm
8/22/2013 12:54:31 pm

I'm putting this as its own comment, so there can be no question that Doug has seen it. Because I'm starting to think that I'm not going to get a response to my two main criticisms - because I don't think he's got answers to these two criticisms. So, once again:

What really disturbs me about your reporting are two significant misstatements of fact.

1) You have a report of bruises on one arm. These are not indicative of anything but bruises on someone's arm. You know full well that evidence of vaginal tearing is much more significant, and you repeat this allegation as fact but have zero evidence. Produce evidence that there is a police report, an authenticated rape exam kit, anything of the sort or clearly state that the only source for this allegation is the woman's own statements.

2) You irresponsibly misstate the police report regarding Lewan's statement - which you, again, know full well, would be damaging if Lewan said what you claim he said.

According to police report he said "if she (claims there was a rape), he's going to rape her, because (Gibbons) didn't." Now that statement is appalling, taken on its own. It's inappropriate and, on its face, uses rape as a threat, which is unpardonable.

But it is a very different statement from "(he would) rape her again." "Rape her again" is an admission by Gibbons' close friend that there has been a previous rape. Pretty significant. And utterly bogus. Your credibility is completely undermined by this blatant distortion. It is hard to imagine a watchdog, such as yourself, would not recall the exact words in Lewan's statement. That's not an innocent mistake - that's a misrepresentation to support an agenda.

I don't care about things like mislabeling Lewan in a photo (although that is shoddy reporting). I care that two of the main pillars of your story are either unsupported or manifestly inaccurate.

I'd push on the Joe Reynolds angle. I'm curious to know if he really does support the accuser's side of the story. Again, we unfortunately have no proof from you that Reynolds has ever said the things you attribute to him except second-hand statements by the accuser.

Reply
DNA Test?
8/22/2013 02:18:48 pm

If the investigators found semen on her skirt, and the police had legitimate cause to believe the accused was responsible, there would have been a DNA comparison. Please publish the results of these tests, if they exist, to corroborate your accusation; otherwise, your piece is inconclusive and is not sufficiently supported to merit attempting to drag a young man's name through the mud.

Reply
jm
8/22/2013 02:30:29 pm

Gibbons says there was consensual sex. I don't think there's a lot of doubt as to whose semen was on her clothing.

Reply
T
8/22/2013 09:41:50 pm

Carla I love you

Reply
Bob
8/23/2013 12:05:27 am

http://annarbor.com/sports/um-football/no-charges-filed-against-michigan-football-player-accused-of-sexual-assault/

Published a month after the incident. There was clearly something, not "nothing" as some of you allege, published about the case immediately.

Reply
Reading these comments is sad
8/23/2013 02:17:46 am

Yes, there are some Michigan fans trying to spin this. But it's just as sad that MSU / OSU fans are rushing in to attack those UM fans without reading more than the original article, which was clearly not a profession piece of writing or research.

I actually took the time to read the police reports attached!

The picture it all paints is that of two drunk individuals, one a lot drunker than the other, which makes it all pretty foggy.

Gibbons version of events comes off as believable. That he recalled her saying "I don't know why I did this" afterwards is not the sort of thing he would be likely to make up and is consistent with it being consensual.

The problem is, her version of events is also believable, but with a lot of holes that are the result of being drunk. That in itself makes it something that would be nearly impossible to prosecute.

Now, I'm not saying that Gibbons was not in the wrong here, because it seems like she may have been way too drunk for a moral person to go forward with it. Very poor judgment on his part at the very least. But then, he was drinking too, so may not have realized just how drunk she was.

She was able to successful push him away the night before when they were mutually kissing, and makes no claim of trying to push him away this time. And sort of recalls saying "no" at least once. She said that she said "no," but then says no words were said while they were together. It just paints a picture of a lot of drunken confusion where she didn't know what the heck was going on and he didn't know she was in such a state. That maybe she was unwilling, but didn't communicate it. Or she was completely out of it and realized after the fact that she was unwilling.

It does not present the picture of him using the overwhelming force of his size to throw her around and violently rape her as the original article claims. And again, I'm not saying he was not in the wrong here, because it does sound like she was way too drunk and he took advantage of that.

This was handled by AA Police, not the university. Charges not filed by the DA. This isn't something that the university could do much about. There's nothing here that reads as a cover up.

As for Lewan, he has been known to blurt out dumb things in press conference and overreact to physical play on the field. He obviously was 100% convinced that his buddy was innocent of the accusation. However, while what he said was deplorable, it's a case of him venting his anger to friends, not actually threatening to do something. It then got back to her that he said it, which made it an intimidation matter. Really, really dumb and sick for him to say that, but it's not something where he was actively trying to scare her.

Reply
I forgot my name
8/23/2013 03:52:47 am

You have no idea if it was Lewan or some random guy. The reports is unidentifiable. The facebook link doesnt work anymore and it's just shotty reporting. If there were a story or something she'd make sure it happened. It's been years and she gives all these rah rah sexual abuse talks to students but, never once has she said she was a former victim. She hasn't once tried to make this a big deal and if she believes in what she's preaching to students then she would have pursued this to the fullest extent. No one knows really what happened and you can't determine it's too late to decide that.

Reply
don
8/23/2013 03:26:45 am

fxxk thesee mshltagain rapers from the thug school

Reply
anonymous1
8/23/2013 11:12:41 am

I suggest you be careful (whomever wrote the article). If there is no evidence of the information you published in this article, it is inflammatory and defamation, and you are subject to a big lawsuit. I'm not saying none of this happened but you better have proof. Proof is most important and what will cover your butt.

Reply
jm
8/24/2013 06:18:30 am

Damn, I just don't think I'm going to get an answer from the creator of the site. I posed two legitimate problems with his story, and I don't imagine we're going to get a correction or any sort of responsive proof.

Reply
SAZ
8/24/2013 09:59:01 pm

Look...I can share propaganda from unreliable sources too:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katherine-redmond/madness-surrounding-michigan-state_b_1338066.html

Reply
Joe
8/26/2013 02:53:44 am

I would think ESPN would be all over this

Reply
Melissa
9/6/2013 09:43:39 am

so i take it she did not press charges then?

Reply
Jamie
9/6/2013 06:31:23 pm

This is Bullshit. Didnt she get the memo, Just say no?

Reply
A Western Fan
9/8/2013 07:11:33 am

Hmm... this smells like a wildly ridiculous claim similar to the Duke LAX team incident, that had no evidence at all whatsoever.

Reply
Trace
9/9/2013 08:00:55 am

This is devastating if true but with all due respect Dr. Smith we need more sources. I understand that there may be a cover up but you are bringing this out right before the football season starts and other than a few old ann arbor news stories we have nothing. Then when I try to do research on you all I see is some very odd "whistleblowing" about a vague UM - China alliance that is sending secret weapon technology through China and into places like Iraq and Iran.
To be honest sir, your word is a little suspect at the moment. Can you provide us with any more detail about this incident. If it is true, it certainly needs to be taken very seriously.

Reply
Concerned
9/9/2013 08:18:00 am

I hope its not true but you have to wonder why U of M would risk a cover up for a freshman kicker

Reply
Adam
9/25/2013 06:42:32 am

Exactly. This isn't some top recruit. It was a kicker during a time when Michigan wasn't known for their kickers. The kickers 3-5 years ago were all horrible.

Reply
Dave
9/11/2013 05:44:22 am

I'm with you on this one 'Concerned'. Why would a major University such as Michigan, that has a pretty darn good reputation for punishing rule breakers, risk such a cover for a kicker. A KICKER? If you were going to use it as a case of cover up, I have a hard time buying into it based on that alone. A KICKER!
I would dive into a little more if it was, let's say, Henne, Hart, Edwards, Woodson, Robinson, ummmm Mr. Brandon.
I've seen MIchigan take players and punish them for stealing, bar fights, drunk driving, MIP. No way do they cover this up.......not even Ohio State would cover this type of thing up. No way.

Reply
Mark L
9/15/2013 10:23:45 pm

The girl chose to not go forward with charges.

She stayed at Michigan.

She worked with the athletic department until she graduated.

Reply
None
9/26/2013 07:43:54 am

Gibbons didn't live in Mary Markley hall and the "proof" in the police report shows no evidence of being a valid police document. Get your facts straight and show some credentials while you're at it.

Reply
brandie
10/14/2013 04:00:41 am

can i just say i am a sophomore in college and if you choose to drink than you put urself in that situation. you cant say rape if you are drunk. i could get plastered and say elephants are chasing me; no one will take me seriously. if i have sex and regret it and get scared of getting pregnant i can yell rape and screw a guy up for the rest of his life. im all about female rights not about female excuses

Reply
chad
10/14/2013 10:40:31 am

are you suggesting a drunk person cannot be raped?

Reply
oprichniki
10/14/2013 04:23:41 am

Guess that he was not thinking about brunettes in the Penn State loss?

Reply
PSU
10/15/2013 01:01:21 am

Wonder what he was thinking about during those kicks at Happy Valley this past weekend. KARMA!!!!

Reply
jaco
10/16/2013 09:57:17 pm

U of M must go by what the outcome of the investigation was peiod!

Reply
Genx
12/2/2013 11:19:34 pm

Perhaps he just has a very large thick penis, thus some tearing occurred during the drunk sex

Reply
Jeff
12/5/2013 12:17:22 am

He's a kicker

Reply
M
12/6/2013 02:31:38 am

Agreed.

Reply
M
12/6/2013 02:30:46 am

Vaginal tearing CAN happen with consensual sex. I will admit, when I am drinking (which they both were) I like it VERY rough. I've had my vagina torn. ;) Call me what you want, but I think she's just a girl crying wolf on yet another pro-athlete. There are too many women out there doing this. I'll never believe one of them.

Reply
D
2/2/2014 12:49:02 pm

You sound solid and very with it. Call me.

Reply
Dick Swisher
12/23/2013 05:56:13 am

If you're gonna claim rape, you better have a tape!

Reply
tom
12/23/2013 06:03:34 pm

Media outlets are going to cover stories of accusations. Who really thinks michigan is going to cover up for a FRESHMAN kicker? Get real.

Reply
hate you. cuz you're dumb.
2/2/2014 01:03:20 pm

I do. Because they did.

Reply
Steve DeGregorio
12/23/2013 11:26:35 pm

Just a bunch of unproven written crap. Haha at these jealous trolls that write this shit. Of course vaginal tearing can happen in consensual sex. This is probably the most unsubstantiated article I have ever read. All of us are a tad dumber after reading it. Smh.

Reply
sharon
1/28/2014 10:26:40 am

and you know this because you have a vagina? You are stupid and he is a rapist!

Reply
JRJ
1/29/2014 03:16:52 am

Good call, Steve. It was all jealousy. And trolls. Problem is, the university investigated and ended up expelling him. Now there's an inconvenient detail for the Michigan Men with their heads in the sand. Not nearly as convenient as, say, the timing of the expulsion, which came 3 years after the incident and a few short weeks after Gibbons exhausted his eligibility. Just like with the Fab Five, Michigan has a habit of drawing out investigations until the punishment is all but meaningless. At least, meaningless as far as the program is concerned.

Go Blue.

Right?

Reply
mk
2/2/2014 12:50:21 pm

You seem plenty dumb enough prior.

Reply
Deal With It
1/28/2014 08:17:36 am

This story needs to be updated:

http://www.michigandaily.com/sports/former-kicker-brendan-gibbons-expelled-sexual-misconduct

Reply
Mark Koroi
1/29/2014 12:30:56 pm

Great result!

This would have not been possible absent public pressure by this article.

Reply
Larry link
1/28/2014 11:57:53 am

What a vile and disturbing story.

"Rape Frats" - Criminalize and send notice that a moral compass will exist.

The lack of coverage and timing reeks of PSU-like dysfunction. What a pathetic day for the best and the brightest.

Reply
Steve
1/29/2014 09:44:06 am

Where is Coach Houke? Why did he say he had an injury and family issues instead of being up front and on the level. There is an assumption of a cover up and yet the University has yet to make a public comment. Would the same protection been given to a non athlete/student or is there PRIVILEGE to rape because you play football.

Reply
sheri barron
1/30/2014 11:26:19 am

I can PROVE many cover-ups that the UMICH has made. see sheri barron on vimeo. I was a RN hired in 1986. In my opinion, UMICH even tried to cover up why my Mother died hours after being discharged from there
. In a deposition my private insurance company stated that UMICH contacted them (without proper authorization) and told them that I was on a medical leave that was NOT PHYSICAL and etc. I ended up losing my house to foreclosure...anyway this is not about me. I just want to make a point that UMICH does try to cover their mistakes (my opinion) and the Court goes along with them even when there is concrete evidence. I have spent 10s of thousands of dollars trying to get justice to no avail. I would love an investigation. It is very hard to get a lawyer to go against UMICH- call any honest lawyer and they will tell you the same.
Robert K. Jenner '...the attorney who is aggressive and in charge has an undeniable advantage...a mean spirited opponent who delays the case with antics, destructive flamboyance and fear...intimidates witnesses and counsel alike and feels no reservation about misrepresenting facts to the court...'

Reply
fan
2/2/2014 12:59:46 pm

Sure has legs now. A deplorable amount of hillbilly comments up here. Fucking idiots classifying what is or is not rape, defending a University that would "never" cover anything up etc. Intellectual neophytes discussing life's realities and "college" football. Do what you do best and empty my trash can. Leave college football, women and lifes questions to those of us who actually went to college. And M is going down for everything here that is "fact." Your rapist will now understand rape far better when Bubba from cell block C renames him Brenda.

Reply
U Betcha
11/1/2014 08:00:38 am

Nailed it!

Reply
josh
2/4/2014 11:36:57 pm

What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

Reply
MSU FAN
2/25/2014 09:28:27 am

the michigan difference

Reply
don link
3/4/2014 07:15:01 pm

Michigan - Its great when even the coach hides the facts n finally heat gets too hot so Hoke tells another lie n sends him home - This case is gonna be serious very soon after all the hiding facts by police n U M - same situation @ Fla State - It will get Winston someday - police n Univ F S . Clean the messes up like it took over a year at Steubenville, ohio football rapes. two boys went to jail

Reply
Not Brendan Gibbons
5/1/2014 07:53:25 am

Here's an important fact for the neanderthals raping women and their apologists: when people do not have faith in the criminal justice system they will take the law into their own hands.

Trash like Brendan Gibbons and Taylor Lewan will have to pay eventually. It is in their best interest (and the interest of college football) if they do so on their own.

Victims are not alone; society will ensure criminals will pay.

Reply
Sean
5/9/2014 11:30:29 am

alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, alleged rape, there you go, I did it enough times to cover the number of times you missed it out.

Reply
Oakland criminal lawyer link
9/4/2014 12:42:22 am

Thanks author for your useful tropic and article to law service

Reply
Scott Osborne
10/3/2014 03:32:21 am

What was she doing drinking 4 beers and a shot of alcohol at a frat house party? Not saying she deserved to be raped, but make some better choices to begin with! I don't walk around south Chicago at 2am with my wallet in my hand.

Reply
Jim B
10/3/2014 07:03:21 am

You're blaming the victim? Are you serious? Get a clue. The only one to blame is the dirt ball rapist, Gibbons. I don't care whether the girl had two cases of beer at a frat house and then stripped naked out on the dance floor, nobody has the right to rape her. NOTHING she did lessens his guilt.

Reply
Dave F
11/1/2014 10:08:35 pm

Doug Smith - as best I can tell, the Federal Dept of Ed issued guidance in about April 2011 regarding the role/responsibility universities have to proactively investigate alleged sexual misconduct incidents the universities are aware of. This prompted UM to adapt an interim policy in about Aug 2011, followed by its establishment and implementation of a formal new policy in Aug 2013. It appears to me UM acted responsibly in thereafter investigating the Gibbons case and rendering/implementing its Dec 2013 decision of expulsion (notwithstanding Hoke's misleading public comments later in Dec). What knowledge/facts do you have regarding any failure by UM to comply with its interim policy from Aug 2011-Aug 2013? Thanks.

Reply
Matt
1/19/2016 05:00:14 pm

This story is absolutely sickening. How did this just get swept under the rug, what a disgrace.

Reply
Logan Warner link
12/31/2020 04:07:15 am

Nice blog thannks for posting

Reply
Get a clue, Wolverines
10/23/2021 04:47:14 pm

"This is not what Fielding Yost, Fritz Crisler or Bo Schembechler would have call a 'Michigan Man'”

Actually, Gibbbons and Lewan are *exactly* the type of players Schembechler--a child abuser, shielder of sexual predator Robert Anderson, and someone who once assaulted a Michigan Daily reporter--would have proudly called Michigan Men.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    by Douglas Smith

    Chief Watchdog

    Archives

    August 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

LEGAL INFO