The night began like many at Boorda Hall, a five-story barracks at Naval Station Great Lakes, the Navy’s premier training base on the shore of Lake Michigan in Illinois.
Somebody announced a party, and the hard drinking and beer pong began. A 21-year-old Marine lance corporal, so drunk on rum and Mountain Dew she was slurring her words, went to look for Kyle Antonacci, a Navy seaman she’d been dating off and on. Antonacci soon texted his friend Mike Pineda to help him deal with her.
Both men had sex with her that night. But what distinguished May 8, 2009, from dozens of other party nights in the barracks — what turned it into a mystery that investigators still are trying to unravel — was what happened afterward.
Pineda, a seaman from Barstow, Calif., training as a Navy SEAL, spent three months in jail for sexual assault. Antonacci, a 22-year-old ordnance disposal trainee from Long Island, N.Y., was threatened with prosecution. The case didn’t go far: Antonacci’s body was found hanging in a closet, his nose bleeding, his face and back bruised.
The armed forces face a skyrocketing number of sexual assault cases. This investigation in particular — involving dozens of witnesses, lie detector tests and forensic exams — points up the difficulty of pursuing such prosecutions in the barracks, where drinking and sex often go hand in hand.
Witnesses, their memories clouded by alcohol, told stories that omitted key details. Antonacci admitted lying. The Navy told Antonacci’s parents that he was a troubled young man who had taken his own life. But the parents never believed it, and neither did Pineda.
For years, the parents and Pineda, 31, have tried to prove that the Naval Criminal Investigative Service hid the truth to conceal its own bungled rape investigation. And they are not alone. The former Lake County coroner says he was denied access to key evidence and pressured to call the February 2010 death a suicide. He now believes Antonacci was murdered.
“They used him as a pawn in a game to win a case, and somebody needs to answer for that,” Pineda said.
Roughly one out of five military women say they were victims of unwanted sexual contact by another servicemember since joining the military, according to a Pentagon health survey conducted in 2011 and released Monday.
The highest rate of sexual abuse was in the Marine Corps: Nearly 30% of women said they suffered unwanted sexual contact by another military member. Close behind were the Army and Navy, each with about 24% of women raising the issue.
The sexual abuse rates appear to be significantly higher than similar survey findings from the 2008, although the Pentagon changed the way it conducted the 2011 survey of 34,000 troops, so comparisons are difficult.
Still, questions about unwanted sexual conduct were virtually identical in both surveys and in 2008, 11% to 12% of female soldiers and sailors said they were victims of unwanted touching, along with 17% of women who were Marines. About 29,000 troops were surveyed in 2008.
The survey results, combined with other recent research, "shows sexual assault is a persistent problem in the military," said Army Maj. Gen. Gary Patton, director of the Pentagon's sexual assault prevention office. "We realize we have more to do."
The results surface at a time when a growing number in Congress are concerned about sexual assault and harassment in the military, and the low rate of criminal complaints vs. a high rate of sexual assaults recorded in anonymous surveys such as the one released Monday.
"Obviously, this report is very alarming," says Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., chair of the personnel subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
She is working on legislation that would remove from the chain-of-command the decision to file charges in a felony case, including rape or other sexual assault.
Gillibrand says that victims of sexual assault in the military hesitate to complain because they fear retribution or skepticism from commanders. "This (survey) report highlights the need for legislation," she says.
Military leaders oppose the changes she is seeking.
The investigation of accused military rapists should be removed from the chain of command and handed to trained prosecutors, perhaps installing an era of civilian oversight within the armed forces justice system, according to senators who Wednesday [March 13] heard testimony from three ex-service members who were sexually assaulted while on duty.
The push for an overhaul in how the military handles reported rapes in its ranks was repeatedly underscored during the hearing by references to the recent decision by a top Air Force general to overturn a military jury’s verdict against a fellow pilot convicted of raping a woman who had been assigned to a hospital at Aviano Air Base in Italy.
The Aviano ruling — which set aside a one-year brig sentence for the convicted rapist — is “yet another example of an abuse of authority taken by a commander that will have a chilling effect on military judges, prosecutors, and juries and inhibit victims from coming forward,” testified Brian Lewis, a former Navy petty officer, who was raped in 2000 by a senior non-commissioned officer service. Lewis became the first male rape survivor ever to testify before Congress about such an assault. The hearing also marked the first Senate attention to military sexual assault in nearly 10 years.
“The epidemic has not been successfully been addressed in decades of review and reform by the Department of Defense or by Congress … (There is) inherent bias and conflict of interest present in a broken military justice system,” Lewis testified. “The reporting, investigation, prosecution and adjudication of sexual assault must be taken out of the chain of command and (placed) into an independent office with professional, military and civilian oversight. (The current system) … is another way that the Department of Defense fails us.”
Another veteran, former Army Sgt. Rebekah Havrilla, told the panel — part of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services — that she was raped in 2007, a week before she was scheduled to leave Afghanistan for the United States. When she confided the attack to an Army chaplain, he told her the rape “was God’s will and that God was trying to get my attention so that I would go back to church,” she testified, adding that her rapist later posted on the Internet images of her sexual assault.
Havrilla testified that she initially decided to not report the rape because she feared retaliation from the male members her her bomb-disposal unit. After she did report the rape to her commanders, the alleged offender was not punished, she further testified.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., shares her thoughts on the staggering number of military sexual assaults and what Congress can do to stop them.
“Commanders were never held accountable for choosing to do nothing. What we need is a military with a fair and impartial criminal justice system, one that is run by professional and legal experts, not unit commanders,” Havrilla testified.
At least four senators on the Senate subcommittee said they favored the notion of adding independent prosecutors to the portion of the military-justice system that deals with sex assaults - or agreed that some version of fundamental reform is needed in how the armed forces handle rape reports.
Quote by Mondobubba:
Picking a nit, Tri. it was Truman, not Eisenhower who signed the executive order integrating the military.
Quote by TriSec:Quote by Mondobubba:
Picking a nit, Tri. it was Truman, not Eisenhower who signed the executive order integrating the military.
Oop! You're right; 1948, was it?
Quote by BobR:
Perhaps this is why certain quarters resisted the repeal of DADT - they knew how rampant sexual assault was, and were afraid of man-on-man assaults.
Quote by TriSec:
So, I was planespotting whilst out on the pitch last night. I'm pretty sure I bagged a B-777 and a C-17 Globemaster III. I also think I saw a butt-ugly, big-tailed, beast. It's a little difficult to tell from standing 6 miles underneath it, but I went with it because it looked ugly even at that distance.
Quote by Mondobubba:
Said butt-ugly would be an A-380?
Quote by BobR:
You're daily dose of squeee!
Quote by Raine:
Where is Mala?
Quote by Raine:
Want to see something a little freaky? Do google street view of 2210 Seymour Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113 -- zoom in.
Quote by TriSec:Quote by Raine:
Want to see something a little freaky? Do google street view of 2210 Seymour Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113 -- zoom in.
How very curious. This didn't raise any warning flags?
Quote by Raine:I don't know when the picture was taken -- could be nothing, Right now I am trying to find pictures of the house as of yesterday or today.Quote by TriSec:Quote by Raine:
Want to see something a little freaky? Do google street view of 2210 Seymour Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113 -- zoom in.
How very curious. This didn't raise any warning flags?
One thing is for sure, google street view is less than 10 years old.
Quote by TriSec:
Drinking actual mugs of this today.
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all.. ONE WEEK AND COUNTING!
So the latest cemetery that has offered to take the older Tsarnaev's body is literally a block from the house I grew up in. You could say that hits a little close to home..
Anyways everyone back home is freaking out.. I don't see what the big deal is. Right now the body is sitting in a mortician's freezer, being stored on the taxpayer's dime. Maybe if we explained it THAT WAY these fucking idiots would stop being stupid?
CREMATE THE CORPSES AND PAY FOR THE SEQUESTER!
Zak, a former Cleveland police officer of 30 years, believes the community is feeling the effects of the city’s cuts in the police force.
“The first thing a city should do is protect its citizens,†he said. Although police cannot be on the scene of every crime as they occur, Zak reports that residents are getting responses to calls “one, two, and four hours later.â€
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Where is Mala?
Yeah, where is she?
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Where is Mala?
Yeah, where is she?
She was at the dentist, then got soaked trying to replace the windshield wipers on mom's 1993 Plymouth Acclaim (aka the monster), then had to run to an awards/trophy store to drop off plaques for the office (getting soaked again) then had to run to Shoppers to get something for lunch and dinner.
what I totally forgot to do was get something for mother's day
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Where is Mala?
Yeah, where is she?
She was at the dentist, then got soaked trying to replace the windshield wipers on mom's 1993 Plymouth Acclaim (aka the monster), then had to run to an awards/trophy store to drop off plaques for the office (getting soaked again) then had to run to Shoppers to get something for lunch and dinner.
what I totally forgot to do was get something for mother's day
Mala has been having a morning
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Where is Mala?
Yeah, where is she?
She was at the dentist, then got soaked trying to replace the windshield wipers on mom's 1993 Plymouth Acclaim (aka the monster), then had to run to an awards/trophy store to drop off plaques for the office (getting soaked again) then had to run to Shoppers to get something for lunch and dinner.
what I totally forgot to do was get something for mother's day
Mala has been having a morning
Indeed.
For Mala:
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Where is Mala?
Yeah, where is she?
She was at the dentist, then got soaked trying to replace the windshield wipers on mom's 1993 Plymouth Acclaim (aka the monster), then had to run to an awards/trophy store to drop off plaques for the office (getting soaked again) then had to run to Shoppers to get something for lunch and dinner.
what I totally forgot to do was get something for mother's day
Mala has been having a morning
Indeed.
For Mala:
yep, she has (when did I start referring to myself in third person? )
Its a bit early so i treated myself to a from Shoppers that's the size of my head.
Quote by Mondobubba:
BTW Mala, how is the new crown?
Quote by Mondobubba:
Donuts the size of your head are always a good thing. Tri, Kane's has donuts that big don't they?
Quote by Mondobubba:
Briton with dungeon who plotted to kidnap and eat child jailed in US
This is a evil, twisted freak.
Quote by TriSec:Quote by Mondobubba:
Donuts the size of your head are always a good thing. Tri, Kane's has donuts that big don't they?
They do indeed, good sir.
Quote by TriSec:Quote by Mondobubba:
Briton with dungeon who plotted to kidnap and eat child jailed in US
This is a evil, twisted freak.
Huh, I must have missed this story. Yeesh.
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
BTW Mala, how is the new crown?
still don't have it yet - had to get the post lengthening first then next visit she has to clean up some stuff from the surgery and I get the mold done for the crowns. I'm hoping to have them by the end of June depending on the lab and my schedule.
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
BTW Mala, how is the new crown?
still don't have it yet - had to get the post lengthening first then next visit she has to clean up some stuff from the surgery and I get the mold done for the crowns. I'm hoping to have them by the end of June depending on the lab and my schedule.
Oy!
Quote by Raine:
zOMG -- The entire 911 call via Gawker.
and lemme tell you, I'm not impressed with 911 AT ALL.
Quote by Raine:
zOMG -- The entire 911 call via Gawker.
and lemme tell you, I'm not impressed with 911 AT ALL.
Quote by clintster:
How did I miss this?
http://gawker.com/donald-trump-lashes-out-at-jon-stewart-for-revealing-hi-489657795
#fuckfacevonclownstick
Quote by Raine:
zOMG -- The entire 911 call via Gawker.
and lemme tell you, I'm not impressed with 911 AT ALL.
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
zOMG -- The entire 911 call via Gawker.
and lemme tell you, I'm not impressed with 911 AT ALL.
Don't you be hating on 911 dispatchers. I have a friend who is a police dispatcher for the JSO. They are just doing their job.
Quote by Raine:Let me clarify: CLEVELAND -- is that better? Listening to the call, they were kinda dicks.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
zOMG -- The entire 911 call via Gawker.
and lemme tell you, I'm not impressed with 911 AT ALL.
Don't you be hating on 911 dispatchers. I have a friend who is a police dispatcher for the JSO. They are just doing their job.
Quote by TriSec:
This is starting to sneak out today.
I say good for him. My dear friend was over 500 pounds, and he opted for one of the more radical gastric surgeries; it's been transformative.
Of course, he wound up addicted to painkillers, but we won't go there. (He's better now.)
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Let me clarify: CLEVELAND -- is that better? Listening to the call, they were kinda dicks.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
zOMG -- The entire 911 call via Gawker.
and lemme tell you, I'm not impressed with 911 AT ALL.
Don't you be hating on 911 dispatchers. I have a friend who is a police dispatcher for the JSO. They are just doing their job.
I am willing to accept that stipulation
Quote by Raine:I'd also like to know why the hell 911 hung up on Amanda while she was on the phone with them. I thought it was just me, but Randi said the same thing.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Let me clarify: CLEVELAND -- is that better? Listening to the call, they were kinda dicks.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
zOMG -- The entire 911 call via Gawker.
and lemme tell you, I'm not impressed with 911 AT ALL.
Don't you be hating on 911 dispatchers. I have a friend who is a police dispatcher for the JSO. They are just doing their job.
I am willing to accept that stipulation
Three brothers..their brothers, Three brothers, but not related to the three women have been arrested in Cleveland, which voted Obama. Not that that has anything to do with anything. One of who has a baby. Double welfare benefits if one of the women has a baby.
The daughter of kidnapping suspect Ariel Castro told America's Most Wanted in 2004 that she was the last person to see Gina DeJesus alive.
Arlene Castro was a friend and classmate of Gina DeJesus at Wilbur Wright Middle School in Cleveland. She told the show -- which profiles missing-persons cases to draw attention to them -- that she was walking with DeJesus and borrowed 50 cents from the then-14-year-old to call her mother to ask if the two could hang out at Gina's.
When her mother said no, Castro said they parted ways.
Quote by Raine:
It takes a special gift to be such a piece of slimy greasy shit like Rush.
Not only is he trying to blame the kidnappings on people who voted for Obama, he actually suggested the kidnappers did this - for, wait for it: WELFARE MONEY.Three brothers..their brothers, Three brothers, but not related to the three women have been arrested in Cleveland, which voted Obama. Not that that has anything to do with anything. One of who has a baby. Double welfare benefits if one of the women has a baby.
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
It takes a special gift to be such a piece of slimy greasy shit like Rush.
Not only is he trying to blame the kidnappings on people who voted for Obama, he actually suggested the kidnappers did this - for, wait for it: WELFARE MONEY.Three brothers..their brothers, Three brothers, but not related to the three women have been arrested in Cleveland, which voted Obama. Not that that has anything to do with anything. One of who has a baby. Double welfare benefits if one of the women has a baby.
This is coming close to the Sandra Fluke slut shaming.
BTW Rush, you don't get "double welfare benefits" if you have a kid. I've looked it up. I did a lot of research on welfare last year, you racist, push dripping, infected anal fissure of an asshole.
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
It takes a special gift to be such a piece of slimy greasy shit like Rush.
Not only is he trying to blame the kidnappings on people who voted for Obama, he actually suggested the kidnappers did this - for, wait for it: WELFARE MONEY.Three brothers..their brothers, Three brothers, but not related to the three women have been arrested in Cleveland, which voted Obama. Not that that has anything to do with anything. One of who has a baby. Double welfare benefits if one of the women has a baby.
This is coming close to the Sandra Fluke slut shaming.
BTW Rush, you don't get "double welfare benefits" if you have a kid. I've looked it up. I did a lot of research on welfare last year, you racist, push dripping, infected anal fissure of an asshole.
I think it's just as bad if not worse.
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
It takes a special gift to be such a piece of slimy greasy shit like Rush.
Not only is he trying to blame the kidnappings on people who voted for Obama, he actually suggested the kidnappers did this - for, wait for it: WELFARE MONEY.Three brothers..their brothers, Three brothers, but not related to the three women have been arrested in Cleveland, which voted Obama. Not that that has anything to do with anything. One of who has a baby. Double welfare benefits if one of the women has a baby.
This is coming close to the Sandra Fluke slut shaming.
BTW Rush, you don't get "double welfare benefits" if you have a kid. I've looked it up. I did a lot of research on welfare last year, you racist, push dripping, infected anal fissure of an asshole.
I think it's just as bad if not worse.
I dunno. Could be. Rush gets more of pass on his racist shite than he should.
Quote by livingonli:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
It takes a special gift to be such a piece of slimy greasy shit like Rush.
Not only is he trying to blame the kidnappings on people who voted for Obama, he actually suggested the kidnappers did this - for, wait for it: WELFARE MONEY.Three brothers..their brothers, Three brothers, but not related to the three women have been arrested in Cleveland, which voted Obama. Not that that has anything to do with anything. One of who has a baby. Double welfare benefits if one of the women has a baby.
This is coming close to the Sandra Fluke slut shaming.
BTW Rush, you don't get "double welfare benefits" if you have a kid. I've looked it up. I did a lot of research on welfare last year, you racist, push dripping, infected anal fissure of an asshole.
I think it's just as bad if not worse.
I dunno. Could be. Rush gets more of pass on his racist shite than he should.
That is so true. He's become such a vile piece of shit that he should go down like Senator McCarthy or Father Coughlin did.
What is this shit? Sexual Battery Case Against Air Force Colonel Will Be Prosecuted in Arlington
U.S. Air Force JAG office requested case be turned over to the military.
Quote by Raine:What is this shit? Sexual Battery Case Against Air Force Colonel Will Be Prosecuted in Arlington
U.S. Air Force JAG office requested case be turned over to the military.
Quote by Mondobubba:
On a whim, I just checked to see if there is a branch of the Patch for Jacksonville. Silly me, of course not!
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Hi, everyone!
I am sorry to be here so late. I subbed today and had a lot to do.
Fortunately, the budget looks pretty good for the next few weeks.