- Sep 20, 2008
- 3,160
- 10
http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/st...r-old-stepdaughter-at-rowan-towers-in-trenton
The stepfather of the 7-year-old girl police say was gang-raped at aparty in the Rowan Towers apartment complex on March 28 has comeforward to defend three of the accused police say are responsible forthe gang-rape.
The stepfather, who is also the biological father of the17-year-old, told the Associated Press, "these three had nothing to dowith nothing; I don't know why they locked them up," referring toGregory Leary, 20; Timear Lewis, 19; and a 17-year-old whose name hasnot been released due to his age. "My daughter said these guys weretrying to help her."
The girl's stepfather, who is also the biological father of the15-year-old girl, said he still believes his 7-year-old stepdaughterwas raped by "a lot" of men; just not the three he said helped her.
"If you had a gun pointed to your head, you wouldn't be able to do nothing, either," he told the Associated Press.
Leary, who has been charged with aggravated sexual assault andendangering the welfare of a child, denies raping the 7-year-old. Athis first court appearance his attorney, Robin Lord argued the victimwas "pressured to make up the story."
Lord said the girl's memory could be corrupted because of all the gifts she has been receiving.
Leary has allegedly admitted to having sex with the older sister,and has been charged with statutory rape as a result. AssistantDistrict Attorney Jennifer Downing says while Leary has denied rapingthe little girl but "several witnesses" at the party have said they sawthe 20-year-old "on top of the 7-year-old," raping her, according tothe Associated Press.
The victim was administered a rape kit while at a local hospital, and police say there is DNA evidence to support the crime.
Police say the two sisters were at a house party in the Rowan Towerswhere the older sister began charging men and boys money to have sexwith her. At some point she accepted money from several individuals totouch her little sister. The touching escalated to rape, which policesay the older sister watched.
The men allegedly threatened the victim with death if she screamedor told anyone. After the rape, the girl dressed herself and left theapartment. Two women found her outside crying and took her home.
As they arrived, police were there because the girls' parents had just reported both as runaways.
