Crash Into Me_ A Survivor's Search for Justice - Liz Seccuro [55]
Chapman objected to Quagliana’s line of questioning because the scope of the preliminary hearing was to end at the point when I left the Phi Kappa Psi house. It had been agreed that testimony about events after leaving the house would not be introduced until trial.
QUAGLIANA: Judge, it’s cross examination and we have broad latitude here. And—and to the extent of the witness’ credibility and her memory, this is relevant and we should be allowed to inquire.
THE COURT: I’ll sustain the objection.
A small victory. But Rhonda Quagliana had plenty of other questions.
QUAGLIANA: While you were at the house in the bedroom, had the bleeding from your vaginal area stopped?
ME: While I was at the house?
QUAGLIANA: Yes.
ME: It had certainly slowed. There was fresh blood being deposited on the sheet that morning when I awoke, although not much.
QUAGLIANA: And before you left the house, you did not do anything to alter your appearance or clean yourself, or anything of that sort, is that correct?
I stumbled, forgetting to mention my efforts to clean myself in the filthy fraternity bathroom.
ME: No, I did not.
QUAGLIANA: And you didn’t do anything to alter your clothing, correct?
ME: No, I did not.
QUAGLIANA: And just to make sure I understand, the sweater that you were wearing was a crewneck sweater, correct?
ME: Quite like the sweater you are wearing under your jacket.
QUAGLIANA: And—and the bra you were wearing, could you just describe that for me, please?
Unreal.
ME: It was a simple white lace bra and my underwear matched it.
QUAGLIANA: You testified that you went to the party with somebody by the name of Jim Long, is that correct?
ME: Correct.
QUAGLIANA: And also there was another student by the name of Hud Millard, is that correct?
ME: [He] was there. I didn’t go to the party with Hudson Millard.
QUAGLIANA: I understand. How did you know Mr. Millard?
ME: Many of us first years knew him to be an extremely popular resident advisor. He was a mere—he was a trusted figure on Grounds.
QUAGLIANA: Was he a resident advisor in your dorm or another dorm?
ME: I had seen him from around one of my friends from one of my classes. He was that person’s resident advisor. He’s a very popular resident advisor. Many people knew him.
QUAGLIANA: But you were on a speaking basis with him?
ME: Yes.
QUAGLIANA: Okay, and he recognized you at the party and you recognized him?
ME: Yes.
QUAGLIANA: And you talked to him at the party?
ME: Yes.
QUAGLIANA: Okay, and when you first arrived at the Phi Psi house that night, did you see other friends from your dorm there?
ME: Yes, correct.
QUAGLIANA: And there were a lot of women in attendance at this party because that’s part of the point of rush is to get women to the party, is that correct?
ME: I’m not sure the point of rush. I’m not a fraternity brother.
QUAGLIANA: I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you speculate about that, but there were certainly a lot of women at the party, correct?
ME: You know, I don’t know.
QUAGLIANA: Do you remember seeing any women at the party?
ME: Yes.
QUAGLIANA: You said that when you went upstairs, there were ten or twelve people on the upstairs level, is that correct?
ME: On the second floor level.
QUAGLIANA: And were any of those people women?
ME: Yes.
I didn’t know what she was trying to prove, except that if there were other women there, and they didn’t get raped, I must have been doing something wrong.
QUAGLIANA: Okay.
ME: May I clarify that point, actually?
QUAGLIANA: Sure.
ME: One of the women that I recognized happened to go up the stairs with me and also went with Jim Long to wherever they went off to.
QUAGLIANA: Who was that?
ME: Her name was Cricket.
QUAGLIANA: Cricket what?
ME: Don’t remember her last name.
QUAGLIANA: Was she in your dormitory?
ME: No, she was a friend of Jim’s.
QUAGLIANA: How long were you in the upstairs area before the two guys approached you and asked you—was it two guys who approached you and asked you if you