Crash Into Me_ A Survivor's Search for Justice - Liz Seccuro [47]
THE COURT: Okay [to me], raise your right hand.
I did.
THE COURT: Okay, if you’ll identify yourself for the reporter, please.
ME: Elizabeth Seccuro.
I swore to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
THE COURT: Okay, if you’ll just have a seat. Mr. Beebe, we will read the charge to you. Since this is a preliminary hearing on a felony, no plea need be entered. It is charged that on or about October the 5th, 1984, you did unlawfully and feloniously, in violation of Section 18.2-61 of the Code of Virginia, commit rape by having sexual intercourse with E.S., born 12.23.1966, a seventeen year old juvenile. Such act was accomplished against the victim’s will by force, threat or intimidation, or against the victim or another person.
At this time, there was a brief discussion that no media outside normal court reporting would be allowed to tape the proceedings. Both prosecution and defense waived opening statements. It was my turn. I had to remain seated next to Dave Chapman at the conference table, facing William Beebe and his team, while Chapman’s direct examination of me began.
CHAPMAN: We will call Ms. Seccuro as a witness. Is your name Elizabeth Seccuro?
ME: Yes, it is.
CHAPMAN: Okay. Now, because we’re making a recording of the proceedings today, we’ll ask you to keep your voice up to make sure it’s picked up on the recording device and to make sure we’re all able to hear you.
ME: Okay.
Dave asked me some basic questions, establishing that I was seventeen years old at the time of the alleged crime, living in Charlottesville, a student at the university. He asked whether I was aware of fraternity rush events going on that first semester, and about the nature of my relationship to Jim Long, the friend with whom I’d attended the party. Then, he turned to the night in question.
CHAPMAN: All right. At some point in the early part of October, did you receive a request from him [Jim] about a rush activity?
ME: Yes, I did. On the evening of October 5th he requested that I accompany him to a rush party at the Phi Kappa Psi house.
CHAPMAN: Had you intended to go to any particular activities on that night?
ME: No, I had not.
CHAPMAN: Can you remember what day of the week that would have been?
ME: It was a Thursday.
CHAPMAN: Did you know where that [Phi Kappa Psi] was located?
ME: I may have; I’m not quite sure.
CHAPMAN: Did you actually go somewhere with him?
ME: Yes.
CHAPMAN: About what time of day was it on that day that you went?
ME: I believe it to have been around eleven P.M.
CHAPMAN: Okay. Now let me, to insure the Judge and we are all able to understand where you’re describing, with reference to nearby landmarks, could you tell the Court where the Phi Kappa Psi house is?
ME: Yes, it is—if Madison Bowl is a rectangle, the Phi Kappa Psi house is the large house at the, well, at the head—at the head facing the Rotunda direction.*
CHAPMAN: Do you know if at the time, for example, that you went there if you knew anybody who resided in that house or was a member of it?
ME: I did not know anybody who resided in the house. I did know one member vaguely.
CHAPMAN: When you got there, could you describe what activities were ongoing, if any?
ME: The party was in full swing. There was certainly drinking, there was music, there was foosball, there was just general socialization.
CHAPMAN: Where were those kinds of activities taking place?
ME: In the first floor, all the common areas.
He asked me about how much beer I’d had to drink, asking me to indicate the size of the cup with my hands. He asked whether I knew anyone else at the party, and my relationship to Hudson Millard. He asked when Jim had left my side, and I explained how the brothers in the house had invited him to smoke. Then, he asked about the green drink.
CHAPMAN: Can you