Sacramento Sexual Assault Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento sexual assault lawyer. Almost daily, new sources remind us that too many adults and children are regularly traumatized by rape. When a young person is violated by a teacher, family member or coach – the resulting pain can last a lifetime. The same kind of lengthy sorrow can also haunt an adult who is unexpectedly attacked and raped.
The 2015 California Sexual Assault & Kidnapping Case That Kept Escalating in Terror
During March of this year, a Vallejo woman and her boyfriend were forced to endure a very bizarre kidnapping and sexual assault. Matthew Muller, convicted in 2017 for this crime, broke into the couple’s home and then drugged and tied up both victims. He then left the man behind in the house after warning him not to contact the police.
After kidnapping the young woman and taking her to a Lake Tahoe home, Muller raped her twice during a two-day period. He then drove her back to southern California and released her there. Even though the woman’s boyfriend reported the crime the day it happened and willingly underwent extensive questioning – the couple soon learned that their nightmare wasn’t over.
The investigating police decided that the entire crime was just a pathetic hoax. They even publicly accused the couple of wasting valuable law enforcement resources since the police had used so much time investigating their ruse. Fortunately, the truth has a powerful way of eventually surfacing.
Why Would Multiple Law Enforcement Teams Mistreat Alleged Victims Like This?
The real answer to that question is probably too dark to comprehend. What is known is that police were immediately suspicious about the victim’s boyfriend taking so many hours to report the crime. Since the young man had been drugged and tied up, he tried to explain why there had been a time delay. Once he reported the crime – he gladly let the investigators inspect his home for relevant evidence.
The cops were also suspicious about the ransom request — and the woman’s claim that the assailant used a blow-up doll dressed in a military outfit and played recorded voices and whispers during her ordeal.
What Finally Made the Authorities Realize Their Mistake?
An Associated Press article dated March 17, 2017, states that investigators didn’t start to believe this traumatized couple’s story until they learned that Muller might be guilty of another crime. As a former Marine and Harvard-educated lawyer, he didn’t fit the usual crime suspect profile.
Watch Youtube Video – Kidnapping Once Called a Hoax Ends in 40-year Prison Sentence, by KCRA 3 News:
The Convicted Ex-Lawyer Receives a Long Sentence
While many are glad that Matthew Muller received a 40-year sentence in early 2017 for this crime – it’s hard to believe that justice was fully served. This surviving woman and her boyfriend still believe that society would have been better served if Muller had received a life sentence. After all, in another 10 or 15 years, he could be released into an unsuspecting world.
What’s most important now – apart from law enforcement making sure it never so grossly mistreats any crime victims like this again – is that we all take note of this couple’s bravery. The Sacramento Bee’s March 16, 2017 news article about the sentencing hearing clearly documents this female survivor’s bravery as she addressed her attacker in court. She stood her ground and made it clear to her accuser that he had no right to treat her so cruelly. She and her boyfriend are still battling the horrible psychological aftermath of this crime – and may remain deeply traumatized for the rest of their lives.
Related Links by Sacramento Sexual Assault Lawyer, Ed Smith –
- College Campus Sexual Assault
- Clergy Sexual Assault
- Steven Ramos Convicted – Sacramento Sexual Assault Case
Sacramento Sexual Assault Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Sexual Assault Lawyer. If you, or someone you love has suffered sexual abuse or sexual assault, please call me as soon as you are able at (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly advice. Your call will be completely confidential and handled with the utmost compassion and care. If you are calling from outside of Sacramento, please call me on my toll-free line at (800) 404-5400.
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My practice is limited to matters involving personal injury and wrongful death.
I belong to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This is reserved for top US trial lawyers who have won cases in excess of $1 Million.
Take a look at a few of my personal injury verdicts and settlements.
Image Attribution: Sacramento Sexual Assault Lawyer, Edward A Smith
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