The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

March 15, 2010

Evidence shows rape allegations false

By Dan Nienaber The Free Press

MANKATO — Text messages saved by an Iowa man, as well as reports from other witnesses, helped get him released from jail and out from under false rape charges.

Referring to 23-year-old Anthony James Weatherman of Milford, Iowa, as an “all-American boy,” attorney Thomas Hagen said his client was the real victim in allegations that led to his arrest in September.

 A woman accused Weatherman of raping her during a college football victory party, but felony charges were dismissed after investigators learned more about what happened at the Sept. 6 party near Minnesota State University.

“Basically, what she said was a lie, and no rape occurred,” Hagen said. “He played basketball in high school, he’s a member of the National Guard. It was just totally out of his nature, these allegations that were made.”

The woman told police she was sleeping before Weatherman forced her to have sex. Weatherman was arrested, charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct and jailed until he was able to post a bond for his release more than a week later. His bail had been set at $75,000 but was later reduced to $10,000.

The following November, hours before Weatherman was scheduled to appear in court for a hearing, the charges were dismissed by Michael Hanson, assistant Blue Earth County attorney. There was no longer evidence to support the charges, Hanson said.

“The victim’s version didn’t pan out,” Hanson said last week. “The evidence really pointed to him not being guilty.”

It is rare for someone to make a false report about being raped, Hanson said. There is not enough evidence to charge the woman with making a false crime report, he added.

Calvin Johnson, who also represented Weatherman, said the allegations created a “horrendous” situation for his client. Milford is a small town and word about the charges spread quickly.

An investigation done by Johnson’s office quickly showed Weatherman was innocent, Johnson said. A person at the party had been taking video with a cell phone that showed another man touching the victim, and the victim calling for Weatherman to come help her. Weatherman also had saved sexually suggestive text messages that had been sent to him by the woman.

There were also three witnesses, including a friend of the woman, who said they were listening in on Weatherman and the woman when they were alone in a room at the apartment. All three men said they didn’t hear anything that sounded like someone was being raped.

“They overheard the act,” Johnson said. “Thank God they were listening.”

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