Botched Rape Investigation - AFL Player Walks
It seems almost unbelievable. Personally, I can't imagine anything worse than a night out at Melbourne's dodgy Crown Casino. Yet alone "partying" with the Carlton Football Club and sleeping with has-been Brad Pearce. But to wake up to find some disgusting prick raping you ... well it's just horrible beyond compare.
Well, that's what apparently happened to one poor young lady in 1999. Heath "The Culprit" Culpitt decided that, in the world of AFL football, it's one in, all in. One of his mates had picked up, so he reckoned he was in too.
Naturally, she went to the police about this crime. No behind the scenes pay-off from Culpitt's employer or "rape fees" paid from the AFL's coffers (as they propose). But this is where the story takes a breathtaking turn.
The police completely botched the investigation. The Assistant Commissioner (Simon Overland) said "We believe what she's told us but we don't have sufficient evidence to bring a case." Where is the evidence? The detectives assigned to the case ignored her calls for years, neglected to examine the crime scene, didn't interview witnesses for five years, failed to take any DNA samples and - get this - mysteriously "lost" the interview tape.
While Overland describes this as an "almost total systems failure", I would suggest this incompetence is of such a degree that we can't rule out corrupt behaviour. Are these awe-struck detectives so beholden by the bewitching spell of footy fame that they feel AFL players are entitled to a few rapes? Are they Carlton fans, perhaps? Did they ask for autographs? Do they collect stickers and bubble-gum swap cards? Were they just so excited at meeting their (22 year-old) hero that they lost all perspective? This possibility appears to have at least been entertained by the police top brass:
Mr Overland admitted that while most police were not reluctant to investigate famous people, he could not discount the possibility that some officers "wouldn't be intimidated or wouldn't have other reasons for perhaps not pursuing allegations against high-profile people as vigorously as they might". (The Age, 10/02/05)
Now, the boss is making soothing remarks about the detectives' culpability in all this, and asks us to trust the police - who showed no interest in pursuing justice in this poor woman's case - to investigate allegations against their colleagues (The Age, 14/04/05)!
To have been sexually assaulted by an AFL player must be a truly horrible experience. To be then subjected to unsympathetic, unprofessional and incompetent - or possibly even corrupt - investigators is harrowing and can only worsen the impact of the crime.
As bad as that is, we should not lose sight of the central allegation: that Heath Culpitt sexually assaulted a sleeping woman. It's telling that this crime of violence and misogyny (allegedly) happened in a group (tribal) situation just three days after Carlton lost the Grand Final. (This circumstance is an automatic "Red Light" on the AFL Player Threat Index - for this very reason.)
Please, do not pick up any suspected AFL players. Do not flirt with them or let them buy you drinks. Do not hang out with them. Do not even go near them. They are just too dangerous, and too likely to get away Scott free with whatever they want.
Citations: The Age, 10/02/05; The Age, 14/04/05
Word Count: 568
10 comments
Greg
Greg
Greg
Greg
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10 Comments:
Heath Culpitt is one of the nicest men i have had the pleasure of meeting, a complete gentleman with a great personality and a fantastic sportsman. I find it very difficult to believe he is capable of rape. The amount of tarts who throw themselves on professional sportsmen makes me sick and chances are this girl is the same.
By
Anonymous, at 3:58 PM, March 17, 2006
It's no surprise that so many of these rapes go unprotested or uninvestigated thanks to out-dated attitudes like yours.
I hope that this kind of stereotyping and misogyny doesn't dissuade young women from coming forwards and telling their stories.
Oh, and a character reference from someone unwilling to use their name? Hardly speaks well of either of you ... why bother?
-Greg.
By
Greg, at 6:02 PM, March 17, 2006
Sorry Greg, did you just imply you were couragoues by leaving your first name? "WHY BOTHER?"
Anyway im sure Heath is a kind, engageing fellow and i am also sure there are many women who value the status of celebrity over their own virtue. But what guy wouldnt want to be with the many gorgeous female celebrities out there? Only individuals are to blame for their own actions not all women because a few 'tarts' or all men because one man rapes.
Unfortantly there was no evidence to convict anyone and so the innocence must be presumed. THis is one of our must fundamental legal precepts and must be upheld. However there could be a case for civil action whereby there is a lesser standard of evidence required. Perphaps the unfortunate girl could pursue this avenue?
I hope the both of you morons can appreciatate the complexity of guy/girl dynamics and realise your views of the world are so limited if you boil everything down to girls are tarts guys are misogynistic.
Oh and anonymous if you think nice people are not capable of bad things you are an idiot. Remember yin/yan? white drop in a black tear, black drop in a white tear.
You know what that means right?
By
Hugo Farraway, at 4:26 PM, July 04, 2006
Yes, it is cowardly to not put your name againsts your public remarks. Or, even to use a nom de plume, "Hugo Farraway".
And while I regard the presumption of innocence as important, the right to criticise the justice system is even more fundamental. So, I support our top detective Simon Overland in making his remarks public, and echo them here.
Next, I, too, regard the above anonymous poster as an idiot (perhaps why he/she wishes to be anonymous?). However complex girl/guy relations are, they can be "boiled down" to a matter of law. Rooting someone when they're asleep means that no consent has been given, in which case it is rape. That is true regardless of any other social context or business transactions.
If justice is miscarried because of systemic or human failings, then that is a matter or deep sadness for victim and the wider community.
By
Greg, at 1:08 PM, July 05, 2006
Well Greg,
Hugo Farraway is my name idiot.
Hugh Farraway, and yes, hugh go far away was a very popular joke throughout my life and thus hugo is an appropriate nickname. So a non nom de plume is what it is. thanks.
And yes, I understand the world would be an easier place to live in if we could iron out the complexities of relationships into the simple black and white of common law, unfortunatly however much you try it aint going to happen. But we digress on this point so lets get back on track.
THe point is unless you are privvy to the entire court documents or police files you are not informed of the entire story. Whether Heath is guilty or not he is entitled to due process and comments from police which you have only exacerbated prejudice his chances of a fair trial. And dont for a second think that I am in any way condoning the actions of rapists or marginilising what rape victims experiance during such attacks and in the long years of recovery afterwards. Your stance is understandable and indeed commendable but that in no way gives you the right to destroy a persons reputation.
And as I'm sure you think destroying his name will protect more people from the threat of right please bear in mind the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. Many crimes are inflicted as a consequence of public witchhunts and you should be mindful of such whim and folly in the future.
Hugh Farraway
By
Anonymous, at 4:24 PM, July 11, 2006
I'm not sure that there is anyone called "Hugh Farraway" either ... but that's not important.
I'll admit that Simon Overland - and myself - have skated close to the wind in speaking out against that little shit and what he's gotten away with. However, the fact that the police dropped the investigation - after stuffing it up royally - means that he will not face trial and hence this is not going to jeopardise his fair hearing.
It also looks like the detectives' culpability in this - in particular where they fall on the incompetence/corruption spectrum - will also not be determined by a judicial figure.
In speaking out, I hope that more people become aware of the dangers of AFL players and hence further rapes and assaults are avoided. This scrutiny also pressures police to lift their game when it comes to sweeping unwelcome allegations under the rug.
These two goals are balanced against Heath Culpitt's interests. If Heath has a problem with that, he's welcome to respond.
By
Greg, at 5:17 PM, July 11, 2006
I just wanted to say that I can't believe Heath is capable of any thing of the sort. This is comming from a girl who once DATED him and still currently in contact with him. Also, I think it's pathetic that you guys are even commenting on something you clearly know nothing about. Whether you leave your names or not. Grow up. Get a life. And stay out of Heaths'. Guarenteed he doesn't give a shit about what mindless no-bodies think of him.
Jet Acton.
By
Jet Acton, at 11:42 AM, October 24, 2006
I don't really care what you think Heath is or isn't capable of ... oh wait ... you're not a County Court judge are you? A clinical psychologist specialised in rapists, perhaps? Maybe you were there that night when the (alleged) attack took place? No? Then STFU.
Just because you've "dated" him doesn't give you any insights or special claims to knowledge.
I will speak my mind on this disgusting miscarriage of justice. People have a right to know about these allegations. The fact that some dodgy detectives "stuffed it up" (most charitable view) ensuring it never goes further is appalling.
Of course, Heath is welcome to the presumption of innocence and sadly the allegations will never get tested in court.
Why don't you take a page out of Heath's book and butt right out. Go on; piss off and whine to someone who cares.
By
Greg, at 6:36 PM, October 24, 2006
Hugo Farrawy ( if that is your real name .... )Im actually replused by such a naive and sexist belief as your original post. You sound like a complete chauvinist, like Heath...
Heath Culpitt is a pig. Adeladie knows that after his stint at Glenelg, before he was dropped for not " heading in the same direction as the club".. If he is one of the nicest men you have had the pleasure in meeting , Im sorry for that. I feel sorrier for the poor girl that carries the horror of that night, every day with her...
By
K.F, at 10:13 AM, June 09, 2007
Sorry Hugo thought the first post was yours... my bad....
By
k.f, at 10:18 AM, June 09, 2007
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