To be totally baffled (Ched Evans related)

[soapboxqueen]

Just reading in the guardian that Ched Evans has applied to the Criminal Cases Review Commission to review his case. That's fine because it is part of our due process and legal system.

However, in the article it points out that his girlfriend's father is paying for appeal barristers, private detectives and even offering a reward for information in order to help his appeal. Why would you do that? Why would you put up so much money to protect a person who at best (from their perspective at least) cheated on your daughter in a rather deplorable fashion and at worst a rapist? Why would got want your daughter to be with such a person?

I really don't understand.

I'll see if I can get the link to work.

I've just seen on the BBC website that the convicts rapist has made a statement (available on YouTube, but I've not looked for it).

They say he has turned down requests for interview.

The local news channel just showed a couple of mins footage of the rapist reading off auto cue in a monotone

He says he regrets hurting his family and friends but he has served the custodial part of his sentence and wants to get back to football now

So that's done and dusted then...

The BBC titles its article "Rapist Ched Evans issues video statement" which shows they respect the legal decision on his actions and use an appropriate epithet.

That video would be funny if it weren't so tragic!

Still, at least it proves he can read albeit in a monotone.

Just watched the CE video. Sickening. Downcast-looking fiancee hanging off his arm while he apologises for his 'infidelity' - no mention, of course, of their nasty smear campaign against the real victim.

The video is on Wales Online. I was delighted to see, however, that their headline reads: "Rapist Ched Evans makes video statement vowing to clear his name and make football comeback."

And she is wearing a ring on her wedding finger.

A rapist for a fiancé. Her parents must be so proud.

Is she his fiancee? When did that happen then?

I've never seen her before. I found her hair surprising. Not as surprising as her behaviour, but it struck me. You don't often see that much hair on a human.

Girlfriend, not fiancee. My mistake. Although I'm fairly sure that might be one of the next things that will happen in order to 'sanitise' him.

Even the Daily Star has written "Rapist footballer Ched Evans..."

It would seem to me that that website harms his cause rather than helps it.

For example, the fact that it says the text message said "I am with a girl" rather that what it actually said, which is "I got a bird" speaks to the credibility of those who support Ched Evans (not to mention the credibility of the rapist's testimony itself - surely he would correct what is on that site if it were wrong given that it is run by his sister?)

I also agree with those who have said that what Ched and his filthy mate CM SHOULD be saying, if I am being generous, is that they thought she consented and didn't realise she was too drunk to consent (not that she actually consented). Arseholes.

Yes, I think the victim's testimony must have been incredibly powerful. I have been thinking recently (and feel free to flame me here - I can take disagreement) about how incredibly powerful it would be if she waived anonymity and came out with her story. I think part of the problem is that the public can see the "human" face of Ched Evans but not of his victim. I thought story that the (Australian?) victim of Rolf Harris' abuse told was very powerful (although she was pixelated and named-suppressed). But other rape victims have waived anonymity where they have thought it would serve some purpose.

Although I imagine the victim in this case has been through enough, I do find myself feeling frustrating that his story is being told over and over again combined with sympathetic of his life.

Flame away...

Why flame ? I agree but I also respect this poor girl's right to anonymity.

I think though, if she did waive it that only the already converted would be reached. The haters and misogynists would simply torture her further.

I guess what I am suggesting would put the burden of changing the misogynist attitudes of society on one vulnerable woman.

But I just hate how dehumanised she has become.

He has released a video statement.

He shows remorse for "hurting his girlfriend and family" and admits to foolish infidelity. He doesn't even admit his crime.

Meaningless words.

Indeed, chaya

Have you seen that Michael Buerk and Radio 4 have jumped on the victim blaming bandwagon now?

Here

Loose Women is one thing but I had hoped for better from Radio 4

The Radio 4 segment was appalling. Worse than Loose Woman I thought since it appealed to morality rather than a misinformed understanding of the law.

Seriously, Ched. If you are going to apologise to people, at least apologise to the woman you raped. Even if you didn't think that you were raping her at the time, at least apologise to her for the fact that you did.

He's NEVER going to publicly admit it, as he doesn't see what he did as wrong, and he's surrounded by people telling him that what he did was OK.

Which it isn't, on any any level, ever.

I applaud the press for referring to him as he really is, shame he and the people closest to him can't see it too.

And she has been through enough and deserves her anonymity, not rubbernecking. She has nothing to explain.

OK I applaud the press apart from Michael Burke