AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.—An Air Force Academy cadet who accused a fellow cadet of sexually assaulting her now says she doesn’t want him prosecuted, calling him a “nice guy.”
The woman’s testimony came Thursday during a hearing to determine whether there was enough evidence to court-martial Sean Callahan. He faces charges of rape, burglary and underage drinking. He could face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted of rape.
The woman said Callahan was drunk when he entered her room while she slept in August 2007. She said she “froze” when she awoke and saw Callahan in her room.
“I said, ‘Sean please don’t do this,'” the woman recalled.
She said she told no one about the incident until days later when she took a precautionary pregnancy test that was negative.
Authorities didn’t investigate the case until May when they heard rumors about it. The woman had not talked to authorities until then.
The woman said she was “in denial” and maintained a friendly relationship with Callahan after the incident.
The Air Force Academy was under heavy scrutiny five years ago, after dozens of female cadets said they had been raped but that they were punished for reporting it. Some of the top commanders at the academy were ousted in 2003, and the new commanders say they have a safe environment for female cadets.
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Information from: The Gazette,
