A former Ivy League professor and psychotherapist was arrested in Colorado last year for Incest – C.R.S. 18-6-301 and Sexual Assault on a Child by a Person in a Position of Trust – C.R.S. 18-3-405.3. Allegedly, the crime occurred earlier in the year. Here at the O'Malley Law Office, we never cease to be amazed at the heartlessness of people whenever an alleged sex crime is reported in Denver, Adams or Douglas County. Assumptive people who know nothing about a situation feel the need to assert their opinion about the character of the person in question. They often forget entirely that we are called to presume that people are innocent until they are proven guilty.

Most of the Public Doesn't Believe in Innocent Until Proven Guilty

The article about the arrest of the former professor was posted in the Denver Post, and as usual, people felt the need to comment about the character of the man in question. One poster said that the man was “a pathetic human being” (see the original posting). How does this man know that the allegations are true? How does he know that the alleged victim isn't lying? He doesn't. Instead, the man who is commenting is assuming that what the media is reporting is true. If the alleged victim says it is true and if the media reports it – then it must be fact, and therefore this professor must be a pathetic human being. This kind of assumptive heartlessness occurs all over the internet, with hypocritical people haranguing people who were unfortunate enough to make it into the paper.

Is Presumption of Innocence Dead?

There is absolutely no realization that there are always two sides to every story in Arapahoe, Jefferson or Larimer County. While this psychotherapist and former professor may well be guilty, it is our duty as citizens to assume that those are accused of a crime are innocent until the prosecution proves beyond a reasonable doubt that they are guilty. Wouldn't we want the public to do the same for us if we were accused of a crime? Child sexual assault allegations are frequently motivated by a desire to remove authority figures, child custody contests in divorces, or simple revenge.

If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime such as Incest, Aggravated Incest, or Sexual Assault on a Client by a Psychotherapist, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O'Malley Law Office at 303-830-0880, or submit the “Get Help Now” form. Together, we can protect your future.

Image Courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net