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July 20

UPDATE: Police say Back Cove rape report was a hoax

By David Hench dhench@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

The woman who reported being raped by five black men on back Cove made up the entire story, police now say.

Portland Police Chief James Craig, who had held a 3 p.m. news conference urging witnesses to come forward, said at 4 p.m. that the woman had made up the report after a fight with her partner. 

Craig said he plans to have the woman charged with filing a false report and plans to push for the maximum penalty.

12 p.m.

Portland police are investigating a sexual assault that occurred on Baxter Boulevard Monday night and involved a group of men attacking a lone woman.

Police say the woman was walking on the boulevard between Hannaford's and Vannah Avenue at 9:30 p.m. when five men started following her on the path. The men made lewd comments and then forced her to the ground just off the jogging path, police said.

She was held down and assaulted, police said. An unknown motorist yelled and the suspects ran, the woman said.

The attackers are described as black men in their 20s. One of them was overweight, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans with one pant leg rolled up.

Anyone with information is asked to call Portland police at 874-8533.

Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form

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122 COMMENTS

said...

It was Obama, Bush and Colin Powell. SOB's....

July 20, 2010 at 12:24 PM Report abuse

Fed up said...

The PD did a great job catching the knife wielding robber - let's hope they can also catch these thugs.

July 20, 2010 at 12:32 PM Report abuse

S said...

JWR - couldn't have said it better....

July 20, 2010 at 12:35 PM Report abuse

said...

"Never ever do you see the Fathers, where the hell are they ?" Probably ripped from their families after a bitter divorce.

July 20, 2010 at 12:40 PM Report abuse

said...

unknown motorist who yelled and scared them away = hero.

July 20, 2010 at 12:41 PM Report abuse

Someone said...

I'm still a little puzzled. If one was to see something like this happening, wouldn't they not only yell but make sure she was okay and serve as a witness?

July 20, 2010 at 12:44 PM Report abuse

said...

JWR.you are correct.

July 20, 2010 at 12:46 PM Report abuse

Tony said...

PPH, let's go back to having to log in to make comments. People are much less likely to be blatantly racist or vitriolic when they can't hide behind anonymity. These cowards would never say out loud what they will post anonymously on websites.

July 20, 2010 at 1:09 PM Report abuse

said...

"Hold Back This Day", by Ward Kendall.

July 20, 2010 at 1:12 PM Report abuse

Billybear said...

I doubt this ever happened. Wouldn't the person who yelled call police too? There are a lot of people out there who are off their meds.

July 20, 2010 at 1:14 PM Report abuse

said...

Tony, the frightening thing about a lot of these people is they DO say these things out loud. A lot of it is out of frustration, they are not bad people, just pushed to a point of not taking it anymore and they are not physically violent people so they get their frustration out with words. If you live in Portland, you know what I mean and feel this same helplessness and frustration with the system. I would rather have these folks speak out than lash out like these men

July 20, 2010 at 1:15 PM Report abuse

me said...

goes to show you, if the open carry group had been there, the crime would not have occurred.

July 20, 2010 at 1:17 PM Report abuse

said...

WTF is going on in the Portland are over the past 24 hours?

July 20, 2010 at 1:26 PM Report abuse

dcl3500 said...

Catch and make examples of them, Back Cove trail is such a nice place for the community, it is terrible to have this happen.

July 20, 2010 at 1:29 PM Report abuse

Tony said...

Everyone in America comes from an ethnic group that at one time or another was an immigrant and at one time or another was considered the bottom of society. Irish in the late 1800's, Italians at the turn of the century, Jews, any Catholic immigrant, it doesn't matter. I wish every person in Portland or Lewiston who has a problem with Somali immigrants would spend ONE day in Somalia. Somalians didn't come here to steal jobs and commit crimes in America, they came here to escape DEATH and misery in Somalia

July 20, 2010 at 1:29 PM Report abuse

said...

In nearly plain sight - unbelievable! Hopefully the woman is OK. Get those brazen, stupid, youth.

July 20, 2010 at 1:40 PM Report abuse

Karen said...

Racism is ridiculous. It may have just as well been 5 white trash punks as 5 black men. Why does color matter -they are scumbags just the same! I live off Baxter Blvd and walk/run it everyday, frequently alone. I have always felt safe there. Now I will no longer feel safe walking alone. How pathetic.

July 20, 2010 at 1:41 PM Report abuse

Tired in Maine said...

tllnthethruth....So true!! Be prepared to be called a racist though!!!

July 20, 2010 at 1:46 PM Report abuse

Tony said...

So what you're saying is no white people born in America take advantage of welfare and abuse the system?

July 20, 2010 at 1:49 PM Report abuse

ACHILLES said...

Most likely this act of barbarism is random and will be down played by the media due to the race of the suspects. Get used to it. Race relations in our country are on edge and we will see major civil unrest in our major cities that will likely overflow into rural USA. All the braindead MSM pundits and lefty sycophants hailed the Obama era as the final chapter on race in America. Wide eyed, guilt ridden, white liberals dreamed the days of racial division driven by race baiters and demagogues from both sides had come to an end. Those of us that paid the slightest attention to Obama's past associations realized all along that the opposite would, and now is occurring. Until Obama's reign haters such as Farrakhan and the New Black Panther Party were severely marginalized the the fringes of society. Since Obama's presidency we've seen a reversal in this trend. Nobody should be feigning surprise, 20+ years at the feet of the insidious racist Rev. Wright and his condemnation of whites,

July 20, 2010 at 1:53 PM Report abuse

said...

What the *ell is going on in this city??? That is it, I am getting an open carry weapon.

July 20, 2010 at 1:53 PM Report abuse

Tony said...

youknowit, CRIME WAVE, really? In Portland, Maine? A city with a violent crime rate that is half the national average? I suggest you go spend some time outside of Maine and see what crime really is.

July 20, 2010 at 1:56 PM Report abuse

said...

Karen, given where we live when I see crimes like this I always expect white trash, 18-25 year old men.

July 20, 2010 at 1:57 PM Report abuse

Jo said...

it's just sad that you can't walk alone in the city any more. I would advise that no one should walk alone because the city is not safe with all these assaulters, robbers and sick people. Look at your own neighborhood nobody knows anyone anymore.

July 20, 2010 at 1:57 PM Report abuse

said...

they caught the knife yielder? the white knife yielder, who robbed 4 stores and sliced one woman( for her purse) in 48 hours??? my neighborhood was crawling with police looking for the guy, sunday. We NEVER see the police .

July 20, 2010 at 1:59 PM Report abuse

beemeup said...

I don't know how we go so far off the real topic. The real topic is that Portland is not as safe as it used to be. Over time we have taken on more and more of the dangerous aspects of a real city. Unfortunately we all have to think like "city people" now in terms of precautions for our own safety. I hope this woman is all right and I feel bad that she had to go through this terrifying experience.

July 20, 2010 at 2:01 PM Report abuse

said...

I hope this woman scratched the heck out of them and they have some forensic evidence to go on.

July 20, 2010 at 2:02 PM Report abuse

Someone said...

Calm down the rhetoric. Think of how you would do adjusting to such a change in life. Throw an American into Somali culture and we'd be done for. The opposite is true here, the standard of living is so much higher and things are being given to them for free. In a way, all the struggles that they ever experienced are gone, and there is no boundary of their freedoms. Add on the fact that there are no strings attached to the free money, so why should they worry about how they interact with the rest of the community? However, the reality of this news story is that at no point did it say that these individuals were immigrants, only said a skin color. Nor did the article get into details. Let's not rush to judgment.

July 20, 2010 at 2:02 PM Report abuse

Scott said...

It's pretty sad that out of the 31 comments that are posted here, only one person said they hoped the victim was okay, the rest are all pretty much racist comments, remember more crimes are committed by white people in Maine then Black people, we are no better than they are. Finally I hope they catch whoever is responsible and I hope the victim of this violent assault is okay.

July 20, 2010 at 2:08 PM Report abuse

ACHILLES said...

Jews and America in general was evidence enough that Obama harbored deep animosity towards those that were not of color. Nothing since he's been in office has given us any hope that race relations are improving. There has been nothing but a weakly veiled hatred and a seeking of revenge or retribution coming from the chosen one's mouth and the actions of his administration. Labeled his grandmother "a typical white person"; Michele infamously stated that when her husband was nominated it was the first time she was proud of her country; Obama's labeling of white Appalachia as bitter bible toting, gun clingers; July '09 Obama smeared a good, white police officer Crowley as a racist before he admittedly had all the facts. In fact, these facts clearly pointed to the blatant racism of professor Gates and Obama; the DOJ's refusal to prosecute the worse case of voter intimidation in 40+ years by the New Black Panther Party, and one of the Philly punks holds rallies calling for the killing

July 20, 2010 at 2:10 PM Report abuse

said...

Wait a minute, there are black people in Canada?

July 20, 2010 at 2:11 PM Report abuse

said...

Hannaford to Vannah Ave...Nice pinpoint.

July 20, 2010 at 2:12 PM Report abuse

JWR said...

Someone,--Excellent point, and I agree. So, what to do ? There are no Fathers around to teach them, the Mothers are still and will probably be in culture shock the rest of their lives, so permit me to offer up this suggestion. We the citizens will teach them, you come to school with your pants hanging down your a--, you get sent home. You talk your jive out in the street you get lead pipe or baseball bat up side your head. I don't give a damn about sociology, you people should have though about all that before you open the door to these people who are their country's worst of the worst. But America got sucker into the genocide fable of which 50% is bs. Why should they feed them America will and some of bright Americans don't have to live next to the crime, so hey, no big deal right..

July 20, 2010 at 2:13 PM Report abuse

JWR said...

Someone,--Excellent point, and I agree. So, what to do ? There are no Fathers around to teach them, the Mothers are still and will probably be in culture shock the rest of their lives, so permit me to offer up this suggestion. We the citizens will teach them, you come to school with your pants hanging down your a--, you get sent home. You talk your jive out in the street you get lead pipe or baseball bat up side your head. I don't give a damn about sociology, you people should have though about all that before you open the door to these people who are their country's worst of the worst. But America got sucker into the genocide fable of which 50% is bs. Why should they feed them, America will, and some of you bright Americans don't have to live next to the crime, so hey, no big deal right..

July 20, 2010 at 2:14 PM Report abuse

said...

"Jews and America in general was evidence enough that Obama harbored deep animosity towards those that were not of color." Play left field much, Achilles?

July 20, 2010 at 2:17 PM Report abuse

les said...

bring back Chitwood.

July 20, 2010 at 2:19 PM Report abuse

Someoneelse said...

I understand the race of these guys was printed in order to help the public possibly identify them and bring them to justice, but it is so pathetic that it has reduced the comments section to mostly racist and narrow-minded remarks. Who cares what color they are? What's important here is that a woman was raped here in Portland! She will forever be terrorized by this gruesome and horrific experience and all many of you can do is talk about the color skin her attackers have. Where in the world is your compassion? I swear, any chance to get up on your ugly soap box and talk about how this state is being taken down by "those people"! A woman has been raped. I'll remind you again. This experience will haunt her the rest of her life and was no less terrifying and awful due to the race of her attackers. And hey, maybe she is not white also? My thoughts and prayers go out to her and may she heal and find strength in family and friends.

July 20, 2010 at 2:21 PM Report abuse

Maine is in Crisis said...

I am so glad I don't live in Back bay or Portland any more.

July 20, 2010 at 2:22 PM Report abuse

said...

So is Portland.

July 20, 2010 at 2:24 PM Report abuse

JWR said...

ACHILLES,--Please don't play politics, this is far from it. We are simply not the Ellis Island of the early 20th century anymore. Most of the refugees never wanted to leave their homelands. This is partly why you will see and feel the animosity from the elders. However, who's responsibility is it at this juncture, obvious the parents are non existence in these young thugs lives. So, let's hold the government accountable including the city of Portland, we as citizen will sue you into bankruptcy. You helped turn this city into a cess-pool, because you have no clue what your dealing with. Your education is only in theory.

July 20, 2010 at 2:28 PM Report abuse

said...

Portland Police really really need to start doing their jobs better. This city is starting to become a real ______.

July 20, 2010 at 2:28 PM Report abuse

said...

First of all, it's Somalis, not Somalians. Secaondly, most of them are refugees, not immigrants. They went to the front of the line to get here and you paid for the plane ticket. Some of them, as pointed out earlier, are US citizens, born here. Not all of them have experienced life in Somalia, but rather have adopted the gangsta lifestyle developed in this country. To all of you who's street experience is zero and who believe you have all the answers, answer this question: Fkfteen years ago, were there gangs of black males roaming the streets robbing and assaulting people, pulling guns on people, and attacking women? Race does have something to do with it. They dislike white people (try going into Riverton or KP at night and listen to what they have to say to you), they travel in packs, and they have no respect for our law. Does that mean that all Somalis or Sudanese are bad? Nope. It just means we would be much better off without those that are.

July 20, 2010 at 2:30 PM Report abuse

TroyHardcore said...

I find it disgusting that people are making jokes about this. This is a women who did not deserve to have this happen to her. All you comedians out there think about it for a minute what if this were your mother or your sister or even your wife!! You wouldn't be cracking jokes then right!

July 20, 2010 at 2:34 PM Report abuse

MMM said...

I'm disgusted by 90% of the comments on here. They only go to prove the theory of devolution. I hope the woman is okay, I hope the PPD catches the lowlifes...

July 20, 2010 at 2:35 PM Report abuse

JWR said...

Anonymous,--Bravo !

July 20, 2010 at 2:37 PM Report abuse

Tony said...

Yes, you should go to the Catholic Charities site and read the definition of a refugee: A refugee is a person who has been FORCED to leave his/her native country because of a well-founded fear of PERSECUTION. I'm sure Catholic Charities feels pretty bad saving lives. It does annoy xenophobes.

July 20, 2010 at 2:44 PM Report abuse

said...

I am a liberal regular downtown pedestrian. Racial is way low down on the profiling I do with risk. But it is certainly there. Crazy not to profile. I consider time of day, numbers, age, strut, garments, the neighborhood, race in about that order. I consider a cell phone a more effective device than a gun. And there is no question that Portland was far safer with Mike Chitwood. He routed out and smashed gangs.

July 20, 2010 at 2:46 PM Report abuse

JWR said...

Tony,--And Catholic Charities has gotten greased from the Feds like a pig in slop. Maybe they think they'll force Christianity on them like they tried with our own Native Americans. Who knows what the motive is, but please, don't do America anymore favors.

July 20, 2010 at 2:50 PM Report abuse

LiveLife said...

I'm disappointed by the comments I've read so far. They make me sick. I sincerely hope the woman involved is able to heal--mentally as well as physically.

July 20, 2010 at 2:54 PM Report abuse

ACHILLES said...

JWR - I am not playing politics. I don't know where the 5 blacks are from. They are punks who deserve to be castrated and beaten severely by the male relatives of the victim. My point is that we can thank Obama and Co. for greatly damaging race relations. Like a good marxist he is divisive and destructive. He pits blacks against evil whitey, hispanics and whitey, rich against poor, capitalist against gubmint ad infinitum. I am convinced an act such as the Back Bay attack will ignite a conflagration that will burn hotter than the Watts riots. Obama and Co. would smile inwardly because they cannot govern on ideas, the public at large would reject his agenda, he rules (not leads) on crisis and fear.

July 20, 2010 at 2:56 PM Report abuse

said...

Something went funny in this software. It was not anonymous who wrote the post begining with "I am a liberal regular downtown pedestrian......" That was me whio wrote it.

July 20, 2010 at 2:57 PM Report abuse

Anonymous said...

why is the portland press herald removing comments.does the portland press herald believe in freedom of speech.

July 20, 2010 at 3:00 PM Report abuse

said...

Time to bring former Police Chief Mike Chitwood back from Darby. Pay him whatever he wants! A million dollars a year is not too much to get him to again clean up the streets of Portland. Chitwood was known as Dirty Harry for good reason when he was a big city Philadelphia detective. Portland is becoming so crime plagued with violent assaults and other victim crimes even cops are no longer venturing out alone at night. In-town Boston is far safer than Portland because the Metro cops no how to deal with thugs. Time for Chitwood!

July 20, 2010 at 3:05 PM Report abuse

AR5 said...

What a terrible tragedy for the woman involved. I am, sadly, not surprised by the fact that this became a race issue right away. It is a crime, and a horrible one for the woman and her family. Race has nothing to do with it.

July 20, 2010 at 3:10 PM Report abuse

said...

This is Maine,the whitest state in the nation.If a crime is perpetrated by a group of 5 black men in Portland,it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the probable ethnicity of the criminals,which is Somali or Sudanese.That isn't racist.It's just the way it is.

July 20, 2010 at 3:11 PM Report abuse

Anonymous said...

I am not a racist but want these punks caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Just like I would want if it was a group of white thugs. Stop using the racist card everytime one of your brothers chooses to disrespect the common decency that so many of us live by. The racists in this community are the african americans and somalians who aren't outraged by a crime of this fashion.

July 20, 2010 at 3:11 PM Report abuse

AR5 said...

As a sidenote, can all of you posting with the name "anonymous" get a little more creative and pick separate names? This is getting confusing!

July 20, 2010 at 3:12 PM Report abuse

mario#1 said...

Lets be sure it really happened as described- if it did, lets hope the victim is ok and the driver who yelled got a description of the men to the police and now the police will do their job. Innocent until proven guilty- that goes for all.

July 20, 2010 at 3:15 PM Report abuse

said...

AR5....huh?

July 20, 2010 at 3:17 PM Report abuse

said...

Obama is responsible for deteriorating race relations? That is the stupidest thing posted in response to this article.

July 20, 2010 at 3:18 PM Report abuse

DHiff said...

I hope the victim is OK. People have been posting some interesting comments here, Portland does have a problem. As someone who has lived and still works intown the problem sits with the city leadership. Portland is no longer a city for families. There are few, if any, recreation programs to keep kids off the streets and onto fields, diamonds, and in gyms instead of causing trouble on the streets. The city is too concerned renting facilities out for a few bucks instead of investing in the community. Kids need things to do, especially teens. If you take away fields and gyms like Portland has, you leave them fewer options, among them trouble. Parks and Rec, stop renting the fields and open them up to the young of the city.

July 20, 2010 at 3:20 PM Report abuse

said...

There is no need to log in to leave a comment. Anonymous

July 20, 2010 at 3:21 PM Report abuse

JWR said...

ACHILLES,--That is simply not true ! The President never has and never will play the race card. He did not do it during the election it was used cleverly by Palin who was used cleverly by the GOP. Don't get sucked into the game, keep your perspective in tack or we both lose.

July 20, 2010 at 3:22 PM Report abuse

said...

This entire string of comments makes me sick. What a revolting bunch of racists and sexists. YOU are what makes Portland a place that no one wants to live anymore.

July 20, 2010 at 3:23 PM Report abuse

ACHILLES said...

Anonymous - there is trash in every race and I treat them accordingly. That's my contribution. Could care less about color. You are absolutely clueless and/or ignorant if you think Obama has done anything positive for race relations. Please rebut my postings with fact not wishes.

July 20, 2010 at 3:28 PM Report abuse

anyway said...

To the immature, insensitive fool who keeps making reference to Fat Albert, please stop. Your ignorance is insulting and truly pathetic. Don't you have summer school to go to or something so they will let you into 5th grade in the fall?

July 20, 2010 at 3:29 PM Report abuse

JWR said...

The sad irony is, is who is really behind a race war in this country. It's even more diabolic then a Karl Rowe involvement. Because they hide behind 'patriotism'. And used their base just the same as the poor on the other side.

July 20, 2010 at 3:30 PM Report abuse

said...

So these creeps wouldn't be out committing these horrendous crimes if the tax payers of Portland coughed up more money for recreational areas? With the type of people where talkin about it wouldn't make any difference.

July 20, 2010 at 3:31 PM Report abuse

Amy said...

This is horrible. Just horrible. Find these men and put them in jail for years and years.

July 20, 2010 at 3:35 PM Report abuse

said...

The city of Portland should hold a lottery to hunt these SOB's just like they do for the moose permits! Hope they are caught and soon!

July 20, 2010 at 3:37 PM Report abuse

SL of SP said...

It was only a matter of time before the groups started impacting people not from their community. Tried telling you that! Thank you to the unknown motorist and to the other 100 cars that drove by and said nothing, I am sure, I hope you never need a hand.

July 20, 2010 at 3:39 PM Report abuse

AR5 said...

"the groups".........what groups?

July 20, 2010 at 3:44 PM Report abuse

zoeboboey said...

Violence and rape are not uncommon in Portland, not at all, especially at 9:30 pm. I am just comfortable walking from my building to my car, or from a store to my car, at that hour. Even that is not foolproof, people have been attacked in grocery store parking lots in Greater Portland more than one - IN THE DAY TIME! My point being, even tho this is shameful and makes me angry - this lady shouldn't be out walking the blvd at that hour alone - it is not well lit and people driving by can't really see what is going on. This is one of my favorite places to walk and I go there quite frequently :( It upsets me that it happened. I hope the young lady is ok :(

July 20, 2010 at 3:46 PM Report abuse

what???? said...

wow. that is all i can say.

July 20, 2010 at 4:08 PM Report abuse

Anonymous said...

IT WAS A HOAX, PEOPLE (Susan Smith eat your heart out). This is the moment where all of the people who've spent the last several hours stitching together their Klan outfits sheepishly try to defend what they were saying by arguing that the Somalians are mostly definitely responsible for SOME other crime in this city.

July 20, 2010 at 4:08 PM Report abuse

logic101 said...

Hope all you folks clammering about how unsafe portland is and how the refugees from Africa are to blame, because they are fatherless and not assimilated and dress weird re read what you said and realize how ignorant you are and how quickly you all jump to conclusions on slim to no evidence

July 20, 2010 at 4:10 PM Report abuse

SoPoYo said...

DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!!!!! This woman should rot in jail.

July 20, 2010 at 4:17 PM Report abuse

les said...

where all the racist posters at???

July 20, 2010 at 4:17 PM Report abuse

ACHILLES said...

Throw the book at her.

July 20, 2010 at 4:18 PM Report abuse

beemeup said...

In spite of this hoax I still contend that Portland is not as safe as it once was and I'm not targeting any group with this other than criminals. Speaking of criminals, You go Chief Craig, prosecute this woman to the fullest extent of the law for a false crime report.

July 20, 2010 at 4:22 PM Report abuse

les said...

so if this hoaxer is white whats everyone going to say?

July 20, 2010 at 4:22 PM Report abuse

Badjuju said...

Ok, now lets talk about the trend for women to file false reports of crimes against them. What has become of the sex that use to be fairer. I'm glad my mother grew up in a different time, you know, when women were honorable, loving and you could trust them with the lives of babies. Sad, sad, sad.

July 20, 2010 at 4:32 PM Report abuse

TheBaffler said...

Ouch! I once saw a movie about 5 men and 1 lady. It was just okay.

July 20, 2010 at 4:38 PM Report abuse

Ben said...

It's funny how all the people who jumped on this story to slam Somali refugees are now slamming the woman for lying. The lesson here is to get off your high-horse and wait for the truth to come out instead of jumping to conclusions one way or the other. Justice is a long process because it takes TIME to get at the truth.

July 20, 2010 at 4:38 PM Report abuse

Agamemnon said...

Ah, poor Achilles. Still fighting over that girl, so angry on half the facts, so certain, so wrong. If only you knew how silly you look, perking you ears every time Murdoch blows his dog whistle. There you stand, holding one black beret and proclaiming the end of the world, while at your feet and all around lay a proliferation of sheets, blossomed over night it seems, as far as the eye can see and all of them lily white. But never a care -- if this violenece you dream wetly of ever manifests, I will meet you in the streets and close in bloody embrace. You WILL be snuffed out, be it by time, by demographic creep, or by my hand. Or perhaps we'll just hold a gay marriage and watch your head spontaneously explode. And as to that quaint little city of the past, keep lying to yourselves and today will run you down. There are whole blocks of this town that bustle today where yesterday only trash would walk. I imagine you miss the welcome.

July 20, 2010 at 4:40 PM Report abuse

Badjuju said...

No Shalome, badjuju is what you create by thumbing your nose at Karma. Karma will get you, then you'll feel the Badjuju. Badjuju sticks to your soul like peanut butter on toast.

July 20, 2010 at 4:48 PM Report abuse

Gary Crosby said...

Guarandamntee that if they were white chief craig wouldn't be pushing for the max sentence for the false report. He's just mad because someone said it was Brothas that did the deed.

July 20, 2010 at 4:54 PM Report abuse

said...

Leave the good cheif out of it.He does not have any racial agenda. He is an officer of the law,not an officer of the "brotherhood".

July 20, 2010 at 5:02 PM Report abuse

CoreyT said...

I think this lady made up the story so every crazy person in town could come to the site and rant that Portland is the most unsafe place in the world and that there are atleast 20 unsolved murders intown everyday of the week.

July 20, 2010 at 5:12 PM Report abuse

anonymous said...

Don't we have enough crime and downers in this world???? Why do people feel the need to go out of there way to make up stories of negativeness!! Shane on her, and she should get the maximum penalty!!!!

July 20, 2010 at 5:21 PM Report abuse

said...

A hoax is it? Silly girl should get a good old fashioned spanking in public.

July 20, 2010 at 5:23 PM Report abuse

frustrated said...

Sexual assaults happen every day in this country and often times go without being reported. It sickens me that there are people who would fake something so horrible. It is people like this woman who make it even harder for a real victim to come forward. Victims are now not only feeling shamed by what was done to them, they have to fear not being believed because there are so many unstable people out there who would make something like this up. So sad.

July 20, 2010 at 5:24 PM Report abuse

JWR said...

frustrated,--I hear that ! I once dated a woman who was raped on the 'L' Tracks in Chicago in the early 1970's. (drag from the platform) Anyway, she was still seeing a head doctor 25 years later, and one of the reasons our relationship never really flourish. I couldn't deal with her physchosis. And yet to this day I miss her. She never develope a hatred for the Black man who did it, at least she never let it be known to me anyway. Maybe it's because she knew how I was raised, I'm not sure.

July 20, 2010 at 5:33 PM Report abuse

said...

hoax!~!!! heck of a hoax!!! 5 black men with, one of them REALLY REALLY BIG--- must be a tea partier!!!!

July 20, 2010 at 5:48 PM Report abuse

said...

or at least an R, with hate and fear mongering in their bag of tricks!!!

July 20, 2010 at 5:50 PM Report abuse

cooper said...

Wait.....which Bob Marley speaks.....one was black, the other white. ;)

July 20, 2010 at 5:57 PM Report abuse

sadsack said...

This was a test. Only a test and most of you failed. . . . miserably

July 20, 2010 at 6:03 PM Report abuse

wrt2relax said...

Those who were there should be glad I was not. I would have spared no cost to save this woman. those five would not have ran away. they would have taken a ride with God...

July 20, 2010 at 6:07 PM Report abuse

cooper30 said...

Hey wrt2relax, you didn't read all the words in the story, did you?

July 20, 2010 at 6:12 PM Report abuse

Hoping for Change said...

The Really sad thing is the idea of this action occurring brought out the very worse in some of the people in portland. It's sad to think that i might pass some of you people on my way to work in the morning or hold the door for and individual who would wish me harm or worse, based on some petty lie, a confused girl made up to get back at her boyfriend. I hope this girl is ok, she will defiantly need some type of help, as for all the men that "FIT THE DESCRIPTION" I apologize for what this girl has brought on for us. It's sad to think that now if i'm ever running on back cove, this is what someone will think back to. Thanks for reading and i hope some of you will rethink your positions on this one.

July 20, 2010 at 6:30 PM Report abuse

wrt2relax said...

cooper 30, yes I did, you must be one of those people that belives all that BP has to say? as for me I have a huge doubt about portland and the safety of it's people.. Could you share with us your interest?

July 20, 2010 at 6:31 PM Report abuse

peter stenberg said...

Now the victim is no longer the victim but a criminal for alleged making a false report .Is she also guilty of a race crime? Is her name still protected or does the public have the right to know her name and her age.What is the accountability for this HOAX??

July 20, 2010 at 6:56 PM Report abuse

Piney said...

Where's Al Sharpton when you need him?

July 20, 2010 at 7:13 PM Report abuse

Gringo said...

Not sure what is sadder - the article or the comments..

July 20, 2010 at 7:48 PM Report abuse

cooper30 said...

Hmmm wrt2relax...let's see where we are......you would have sent people who didn't exist to god, apparently BP is now at fault, you have big concerns about the safety of Portland, and are very interested in my interests.^^^^^^^Me, I'm just poking fun at the commenter who acted all Rambo-like about attackers who didn't exist. Later

July 20, 2010 at 8:10 PM Report abuse

said...

The sad reality of this situation is that every false rape allegation makes it that much harder for real victims of rape to be believed.

July 20, 2010 at 8:36 PM Report abuse

Trustworthy said...

Anon... I would love to know how my black(s) you have given this pass or fail trust test. And am i to assume that just because a person is white they will automatically have your trust... I'm sorry but that is not very sound logic, but it's yours and i accept it as such. i would just argue that you've been around the wrong black(s) and there fore they shouldn't have had your trust. Furthermore here in portland maine you much more likely to lets say get assaulted walking home by a white man than a American Black man. Where were all these crazy messed up talks about race when a white guy just weeks ago killed some guy walking home from the old port. And why should a Fictional account with this obviously confused girl insight so many venomous attacks against black men. Everyone knows that black men are the go to bad guy. Anon just so that you might become a little less naive, i would challenge you to challenge yourself and find a BLACK you can trust.

July 20, 2010 at 8:48 PM Report abuse

NIGHTNURSE said...

SHAME on her .... I did not run the boulevard today because of her allegations

July 20, 2010 at 8:49 PM Report abuse

sharon mayberry said...

Nowhere in the original story did I read the word "alleged"

July 20, 2010 at 9:00 PM Report abuse

Anonymous said...

Surprised that no one has jumped on this part of the story "woman had made up the report after a fight with her partner." Might they have used the word husband or boyfriend, things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmm.

July 20, 2010 at 9:14 PM Report abuse

Raja said...

So much for post rascist america - way to jump to the cliche group of black men lie - shes clearly been listening to too much Mel Gibson stand up. Throw the book at her.

July 20, 2010 at 9:18 PM Report abuse

said...

Did I miss this pig's name or was it not thrown

July 20, 2010 at 9:38 PM Report abuse

PEH56 said...

well at least she didn't say they were Mexicans!

July 20, 2010 at 9:50 PM Report abuse

GiveMeA Break said...

crazy woman, figures. needs to come up with a better attention-seeking tactic. hopefully some much-needed jail time will shake her up.

July 20, 2010 at 9:56 PM Report abuse

Ryan said...

This stupid C*** should have to go to jail for however long the sentance is for rape and assault times five innocent black men. Morons like this need to be taught a lessonb Guys, if your reading this- this could be your girlfriend- the one who punches herself and calls the cops on you for assault- you were warned.

July 20, 2010 at 10:15 PM Report abuse

Green Giant said...

Hooray for Billybear! The only one to get it right. The problem is not black youth. The problem is Women. All women should be deported back to their countries of origin. They have ruined this country!

July 20, 2010 at 10:23 PM Report abuse

Badjuju said...

I agree. If women are from Venus we can send them there. Buncha hoes.

July 20, 2010 at 10:37 PM Report abuse

April said...

The problem is not men women black white or what nationality you are from. The problem is just plain ignorance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This woman should be given the maximum sentance allowed. This is all just disgusting.

July 20, 2010 at 10:39 PM Report abuse

Ryan said...

Green Giant, the problem is that women are NATURAL VICTIMS. If a little girl run up to you crying that she was assaulted, most would believe her. The problem is that a lot of these women know it. It is much easier for women to elict sympathy and belief. If this happened in south Africa they would have bungie corded her head to a burning tire. Im no racist or sexist, but women totally have an upper hand when it comes to being a "victim".

July 20, 2010 at 10:44 PM Report abuse

Portland Resident said...

Just another upstanding white Mainer showing the stuff that they are truly made of. When the dimwitted right wing want to lie, they should at least try to have a little imagination. Blaming everything from unemployment to crime to drugs to violence on the blacks may be what Rush taught them to do, but it never stands up to an intelligent scrutiny. Not that this bothers the right wing in any way. Their minds are closed, i.e. the opposite of the actual definition of liberal.

July 20, 2010 at 11:05 PM Report abuse

Ryan said...

I dunno, as I agree with some of that, I still wouldn't confuse this story with politics. I'll bet my left and right wing that this girl never saw the inside of a voting booth in her life. Although this is the product of Baldacci not addressing some of the worst mental health problems Maine faces, as well as one of the worst education systems in America. Look at the drug useage of middle schoolers in Livermore Falls. Right here in the Press Herald (a little while back) the head line was "1 in 5 people in US legally insane". Well, Maine makes that 1 possible. Thanks Baldacci!

July 20, 2010 at 11:14 PM Report abuse

justinwaterboro said...

Now see when this first reported everyone was automatically out for some blood, which would have justified in my opinion. Now we find out that this lowlife decided to makeup this story because she got in a fight. Lowlifes like her are the number one reason why when a woman is truly attacked they tend to not report it for the fear of not being believed. Now the scary part is she will probably get a slap on the wrist even though with her one lie she easily could have caused someones life to be ruined and perhaps they may have been seriously hurt and/or killed.

July 21, 2010 at 12:20 PM Report abuse

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