Very few details about investigation into alleged sexual assault

There are few things that can stir up public outcry like allegations of sexual assault. The problem can be even worse when an alleged attack occurs and an immediate arrest isn't made. In this type of situation, law enforcement officials may feel pressure to make an arrest quickly after a hasty investigation, and that type of reaction is never helpful. Here's hoping that this wasn't the case in a recent incident.

According to a recent report, a 22-year-old female University of Michigan student reported back on April 27 that she was the victim of an attempted sexual assault just outside of her apartment in the early morning hours on that date. The woman reportedly did not know her alleged assailant, and the early reports did not indicate how the authorities came to suspect the 26-year-old Ann Arbor man who was arrested on May 7 in connection with the incident.

The reports indicate that the female student was walking home at about 2:30 a.m. on that Sunday morning when she was followed by her alleged attacker. Details as to why the woman was out walking at that hour of the night weren't immediately available, nor were details of what exactly is alleged to have occurred during the attempted attack.

One thing is for sure: if the law enforcement authorities are reluctant to release details to the media about the investigation of this incident, they certainly do not have that right when it comes to informing the young man who was arrested of why he is now facing sexual assault charges. If the alleged victim provided a description of her attacker, that information needs to be turned over to the defendant. If there was security video footage of the incident, that evidence needs to be turned over as well. The arrestee has every right to know how he became a suspect in this alleged sexual assault.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a sex crime, and want the help of local, experienced and dedicated criminal attorney in Washtenaw County, please call Dan and his team at GLG Michigan. 

Source: MLive.com, "Police arrest Ann Arbor man they believe attempted to sexually assault U-M student," John Counts, May 8, 2014