Idaho Trial Begins

...On Monday April 20, 2009 the 3rd trial for Jeffrey Marsalis began. I haven't discussed much of this previously but the other victims and I looked forward to this one as our ace in the hole. There was extremely good evidence in this particular case and I was really hoping for a rape conviction as it would directly affect my life going forward. If the proper verdict wasn't returned there was the likelihood I would be involved in another trial.

In 2005, while out on bail for the January 2006 trial Jeffrey Marsalis illegally fled Pennsylvania and moved to Idaho. He was familiar with the resort area where he settled as he knew it from his childhood. He obtained a job as a security guard at the resort and was introduced to the victim by her sister, a fellow employee. She later reported her terrible feelings of guilt for having introduced her sister to a man that would later rape her. I knew that feeling as it was something I will never let go of too. It was that similar "what if" all of the victims talked about in the ABC News interview. I had also discussed this at length with my counselor Laura as it weighed upon me heavily. 

Marsalis used his "charms" to gain the victims friendship and they decided to go out for drinks one night at a local bar in the resort town. They sat at the bar enjoying drinks and conversation in which she honestly told him she was a lesbian and there would be no physical relationship between them. They continued to drink and have fun but she later reported beginning to feel dizzy and out of it. Marsalis escorted her from the bar and got a taxi. The driver would later testify the victim was nearly unconscious during the ride and when arriving at her apartment the victim was not in control of her body whatsoever to the point that Marsalis was dragging her, toes pointed backward on the ground, inside the apartment.

The victim woke up the next morning extremely ill and disoriented (similar to myself and the other victims) and called her sister who convinced her to go to the hospital and call the police. She gave a statement to the police about the events of the night before and a rape kit was done. All of this was testified to during the week long trial. The police, the witness, the victim and all the DNA evidence was presented to the jury in this week long trial. As I did with the Philadelphia trial in 2007 I followed along online everyday. It was a very big case in the city of Boise and covered by their local print and TV media. ABC News was also there as this would be part of the special for which I had been interviewed. Although I knew the case was strong after what happened with the jury in Philly I still wasn't 100% confident. 

That Thursday evening my session with Laura was taken up by what had been happening in Idaho all week and my feelings of anxiety. The jury got their instructions on Friday April 24th and begun deliberation...