Journal

So I went before the grand jury to try and upgrade the charges to sexual assault, which they should have been in the first place.  The police lied to me and told me there was no such charge and therefore filed it as simple assault.  At that time, I was never allowed to write out my own statement, and the only written documentation was from the affidavit,  and a brief summary I submitted to the college for hte disciplinary board.  the affidavit was missing a ton of information because the clerk told me it didn't all have to be there, she was putting just the required amount.  the school one was just enough to get the guy in trouble, I gave a full verbal account before the disciplinary board at school, but none of that was recorded or written down. I was recently allowed to write my own statement and have it submitted.  I was allowed to present the case and explain why this "new information" is being presented and how the case was mishandled to begin with.  However, They thought that there was too much question because of the three accoutns of varying lengths.  THey didn't think that a jury would be able to come to an agreement, and overturned my appeal to upgrade the charges.  So, my attacker is going to walk away with a slap on the wrist and maybe a 500 dollar fine at best, all because the police screwed up.  Thanks Hattiesburg, MS police department. 

How do I feel about it? :

I am at peace, because I have done everythign in my power to prevent him from doing this to other women, and succeeding to rape any other women.  It is now on the shoulders of the grand jury.  

What is my next step?:

I am going to civilly sue the police department for faulty handling of my case, plus emotional strain and cost of flight to try and correct a wrong they made two years ago.  THen I am going to sue my attacker for emotional damage as well as monetary loss due to two years of therapy.

I sent off a notarized new statement, and am supposed to be allowed to present my own story to the grand jury sometime this april.  hopefully they will listen to me and understand what I went through. Also, my hubby pulled some strings and there is an investigation going on with the police dept due to their lack of appropriate actions in the original handling of the case. Go hubby...go hubby!!