Hundreds of demonstrators descended upon the streets of Maryville, a small town in Missouri, on Tuesday night, showing support to Daisy Coleman, an alleged rape victim, who has had her case reopened by authorities. The rape case has received national attention over the past week, after details about the incident were published in the Kansas City Star, in addition to the alleged victim and her mother began talking to the media, thinkprogress.org reported.
Daisy Coleman said Matthew Barnett, a 17-year-old at her Maryville high school raped her when she was 14 in 2012. After sex, the high school football player and his friends allegedly dumped her on her front porch where she passed out, barely wearing any clothing. Coleman developed frostbite on her hands and feet when her mother found her several hours later, The Daily Mail reported
Melinda Coleman, Daisy's mother, said her children received threats after her daughter went to authorities about the alleged rape.
The charges against Barnett at the time of the incident, were subsequently dropped. Melinda Coleman also said she was fired from her job as a veterinarian at a clinic, CNN reported.
Robert Sundell, Barnett's attorney, said last week that his client has cooperated with authorities, admitting he had sex with Coleman.
"While many find Matt Barnett's behavior reprehensible, the legal issue was whether a crime was committed," Sundell said in a statement
The Coleman family have since moved from the town to a city 100 miles north of Kansas City. Their house, which had been vacant and for sale, mysteriously burned down to the ground in April. The Colemans believe it was a statement made by some in the community that they never will be welcomed back.
Robert L. Rice, the initial prosecutor in Nodaway County, said that he dropped the sexual assault charge because the Colemans refused to cooperate, a claim that the family has denied. The charge against Barnett's friend, who videotaped the alleged rape on his iPhone, was also discontinued, CNN reported
A new special prosecutor has since been assigned, promising to review the case "without fear and without favor," Rice said on Monday.
"I know that this case has raised a variety of concerns in northwest Missouri, so please know this: This case will be thoroughly reviewed," Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker added.
Some of the protesters at the rally on Tuesday were out-of-towners, saying that they were so moved by the case and hoped the rally would inspire a wider conversation about rape and rape victims, CNN also reported.
"I think that just the fact that we're being heard and we're getting a chance at justice is huge. All we've ever wanted was to have some justice," Melinda Coleman said on CNN's "Erin Burnett OutFront"
A supporter on the "Justice for Daisy Coleman" Facebook page wrote that the rally was a "HUGE SUCCESS... in everyone's efforts for this rally for justice. 500+ present and thousands online. The local law enforcement and Maryville officials were so welcoming. Appreciate everyone's wishes for peace to be respected. This has brought awareness and discussion on finding solutions to rape culture to the national spotlight."
