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Durham County Story



Duke PD Officer Charged With Rape, Declared Indigent

Credit: AP Online

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DOTHAN, Ala.--

A Duke University police officer facing rape and sodomy charges involving a Dothan-area woman has been declared indigent.

District Court Judge John Steensland appointed Dothan attorney Valerie Judah to represent Webster Delenn Simmons on Wednesday on first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy charges.

Houston County Sheriff's detectives arrested the 37-year-old Simmons on Monday on charges he bound and gagged a woman as he sexually assaulted her over the weekend. Simmons, of Rougemont, N.C, remains held at the Houston County Jail on a $120,000 bond.

Simmons told Steensland during his first court appearance that he could not afford to hire an attorney.

Duke University Police Chief John Dailey told the Dothan Eagle that Simmons had been placed on paid suspension.

 

Comments

  • By Anonymous on 11/03 12:19 AM

    Let's let God know the truth in this situation. Cops can put anything they want on a table whether it is involved in a case or not. These big shots in Dothan may very well have something- however if they are wrong then they have absolutely ruined this person's life. Who is to say that this is not a setup? Give the man his day in court and let him have a fair trial. Where has our society and faith in God gone??? Innocent until proven guilty!

  • By Disgusted on 10/30 08:55 PM

    Patricia - how would you feel if this happened to you, or someone you personally know? Since, as you say, you can never truly know anyone, this COULD happen to your brother, your husband, your cousin, anyone. Just put yourself in their shoes for a moment. When you are accused of something horrible and pronounced "guilty" before ever even having a trial. Then come back here and spout your hate when you would be on the receiving side of it. THAT is the ignorance I am talking about. I am not saying he is innocent - I am saying you shouldn't judge him before we know all the facts.

  • By Patricia on 10/30 05:24 PM

    Well anonymous, I hope you don't hold your breath till he's proven not guilty. Then when HE admits his guilt, well then you can as the song says, CRY ME A RIVER.

  • By anonymous on 10/30 05:14 PM

    I believe that every man and woman are entitled to have their day in court. You are innocent until proven guilty. Not vice versa. Before pointing figures let's see how this case unfolds and see if there is any more to the story than what the "News media" has to say about things.

  • By Patricia on 10/30 04:28 PM

    byafriend, you never trully know anyone, only what they want you to know. Most of your Murders and Rapist, are thought of by people that THOUGHT they knew them they were kind and gentle, a good friend. 99% have people fooled. Don't think so, look at the priest, preachers, doctors, lawyers, judges and police that are doing the very same things. I would have never believed it of him/her. That's because EVIL wears two faces.

  • By a friend on 10/30 03:56 PM

    I have known this man for over seven years. I worked in his home and we were also friends. There is more to this story, I know there is b/c I know this man very well. He has been a great friend and was always there when I needed him. Y'all don't know the people that are involved and until you do, it's pretty stupid to point fingers. I know the truth.

  • By Patricia on 10/30 12:07 PM

    Sorry, I misspelled accept wouldn't want to give you something else to cry about now would I?

  • By Patricia on 10/30 12:04 PM

    Well maybe you except Rapist and Murders, and think it alright. You may enve be in love with one. Since you don't want anyone to know who you are by hiding behind no name listed or by using disgusted. Which ever. If you choose to feel these types should be free to continue raping and murdering, then maybe you would not mind having them live with you. Do you have children, sisters, nieces, a mother, aunt, grandmother if you do how would you feel if it happened to them? Would you even care. If you have a passion for these types. Then I don't blame you for not wanting anyone to know who you REALLY ARE.

  • By Disgusted on 10/30 11:32 AM

    No one knows the whole story here...we've only been given minimal info from 1 side. Are you declaring him guilty before he's even tried or before we even know any of the facts from both sides? I'm disgusted with the amount of ignorance we have in our society.

  • By To Patricia on 10/30 10:29 AM

    In your post I don't see where you mention limiting death to child rapists and knife holders, you say "death to all rapists." I mean death to date rapists? Give me a break. What about if a ***** tease lets the guy get to 3rd base and he gets a little hot, pushes hard for the home run and she gets upset and calls rape. Sure slap him a year or two of probation and a sex offender tag, but that deserves death?? Give me a break.

  • By Patricia on 10/30 09:42 AM

    Well maybe you should re-read the Duke-Lacrosse case. I don't remember reading about a child being raped by them or them breaking into the womans home holding a knife to her throat, or dragging her in to the woods.

  • By To Patricia on 10/30 08:59 AM

    I think that's a little extreme. I'm all for death to 1st degree murder, but I think rape is a somewhat less serious crime and the punishment shouldn't be quite so severe. It's also a bit harder to know for sure when rape has occured as opposed to murder, the Duke lacross case for example.

  • By Patricia on 10/29 08:34 PM

    So what if he can't afford an attorney, the courts will appoint him one. He wasn't worring about that when he was raping and sodomizing the woman was he? I say death to all rapists and murders. STOP BABYING THESE CRIMINALS.

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