Back Cove assault a hoax
In a case with racial overtones, a woman, 22, faces charges after admitting she lied about being attacked by five men.
By David Hench dhench@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
PORTLAND - A woman who told police that she was raped by a group of black men Monday night alongside the Back Cove trail admitted Tuesday that she made up the story, said Police Chief James Craig.
Police Chief James Craig holds a news conference Tuesday along Back Cove to appeal for witnesses to come forward in a rape reported in the area, a few hours before the woman admitted she made up the story.
John Patriquin/Staff Photographer
Police issued a summons ordering Maryanne Morin, 22, of Portland to appear in court to face a charge of filing a false report, a misdemeanor punishable by as much as one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. Morin could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
Before learning that the woman had changed her story, Craig held a news conference at Back Cove and appealed for witnesses to come forward. He became furious later Tuesday, and said he will push for the maximum punishment.
"I pride myself on being transparent and educating the community on crime so they can be safe, but when it's a false report of a crime, it creates unnecessary anxiety," Craig said.
"Then, when you attach a false reporting of a particular race, it even creates another situation suggesting a particular group is responsible for a particular type of crime," he said.
Morin initially reported that she was walking on the trail along Baxter Boulevard at 9:30 p.m. Monday when five black men in their 20s started making lewd comments to her. They then grabbed her, held her down and sexually assaulted her, she told police.
Morin said they ran when a passing motorist yelled at them. She reported that she made her way home and told her roommate, who called police.
The report was startling because Back Cove is a popular place for joggers, walkers and bicyclists and attracts hundreds of people on summer evenings.
There were other aspects of the case that raised questions. For instance, police said, Morin refused to go to the hospital, where health care workers could have collected DNA samples to aid in the investigation.
Police confiscated her clothing to examine it for evidence, but could not force her to go to the hospital, said Lt. Gary Rogers.
Police said they must treat such reports as credible until they're proven otherwise, and officers doubted that someone would make up such a horrendous story.
Craig said that because of the severity of the alleged crime, he opted to hold a news conference Tuesday afternoon in the Preble Street Extension parking lot, at the south edge of the trail.
As Craig was appealing for witnesses, detectives were re-interviewing Morin. She admitted to making up the story, he said later.
Morin told officers that the report was related to a fight she had had with her partner, though Craig couldn't explain her motivation beyond that.
Craig would not comment when asked whether the department or any officers should have scrutinized her report sooner and more carefully.
The incident feeds some residents' suspicions and reinforces prejudice, Craig said.
When he meets with groups of elderly Portland residents, many complain about escalating crime and blame it on immigrants, Craig said. He points out that, statistically, the vast majority of crimes in the city are not committed by immigrants.
Morin is black, Craig said, but the racial implications of the false report remain. "A bias is a bias and it's wrong," he said.
Rachel Talbot Ross, president of the Portland chapter of the NAACP, called the incident "heart-wrenching."
"It continues to support the notion that race is a proxy for criminality," she said. "We're feeding into racial stereotypes that encourage fear of African-American men."
Although one would hope that a black woman would know better, racism can exist even within a race, she said.
"That's how insidious racism is. There is an element that is internalized," she said.
The incident also could make it harder for victims of sexual assault to be taken seriously, said the head of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Craig said his officers will continue to treat reports of sexual assault very seriously, regardless of this incident.
Staff Writer David Hench can be contacted at 791-6327 or at: dhench@pressherald.com
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101 COMMENTS
transitman said...
Right on dude, I saw it in Boston over 55 years ago!
July 21, 2010 at 1:23 AM Report abuse
said...
Put her away! Our society can do without troubemakinjg lliars like her.
July 21, 2010 at 5:53 AM Report abuse
Badjuju said...
Time for this (filing a false report) to be up-graded from a misdemeanor to full fledged felony.
July 21, 2010 at 6:06 AM Report abuse
said...
I applaud Chief Craig for having a good head on his shoulders. He and his officers did the right thing: they believed the alleged victim until it was proven she was the perpetrator of a crime rather than a victim of one. In my opinion, the real victims here are women who have actually been raped. Women who file false rape claims do absolutely nothing except hurt the credibility of those who have actually been raped. Women like this one make it that much hard for rape victims to be heard and believed.
July 21, 2010 at 6:06 AM Report abuse
Portland Student said...
This is unfortunate. I only hope the Chief's last statement will be practiced. It would be shameful if this incident lessened the seriousness taken by the police force for future victims who have actually been victimized.
July 21, 2010 at 6:10 AM Report abuse
Biddy said...
I think the police are handling this appropriately.
July 21, 2010 at 6:13 AM Report abuse
said...
Maine needs more diversity.
July 21, 2010 at 6:16 AM Report abuse
said...
Hail to the Chief. A good man for Portland
July 21, 2010 at 6:23 AM Report abuse
said...
The problem is not only the mental unbalance of the women, but the NAACP lack of concern. Reality is, if the women had been “non- black”, there would be protests, visit from national idiots, (who do not represent my views) and a bigger comment then “heart- wrenching”. The NAACP president should have been standing side –by-side with the chief. Instead, I am guessing we will pay for her defense.
July 21, 2010 at 6:34 AM Report abuse
Maine is in Crisis said...
If morin is black and said the fake attackers were black its not racial bias....why must we make everything about race. As soon as monorities put the race card back in the deck we can all move on, until then....
July 21, 2010 at 6:38 AM Report abuse
portlandmom said...
PPD handled this well. I feel good living in a city that a crime against a women would be taken so seriously. shame on the young woman. she should be fined the dollars the police spent on the case.
July 21, 2010 at 6:38 AM Report abuse
Don't be that guy said...
Anonymous said..."Maine needs more diversity."-------------Right, because if Maine were 100% white, there would be no crime. Uh huh. You did see that story yesterday about the knife wielding robber, right?
July 21, 2010 at 6:46 AM Report abuse
Dual said...
"…Craig held a news conference at Back Cove and appealed for witnesses to come forward. He became furious later Tuesday, and said he will push for the maximum punishment." A very odd way to report a story. He became furious????
July 21, 2010 at 6:47 AM Report abuse
Cathy said...
Racism issue aside.....this woman has done more damage to future rape victims than she is aware. I am willing to bet she doesn't give a hoot. Oh, and the fact that she is African American will probably soften the blow for her. Sounds to me like the only person she is thinking of is herself. Lie to society, lie to her partner and lie to the police....sorry, she gets no pity from me. Have her work with rape victims for the next 10 years....maybe, then, she'll learn compassion!
July 21, 2010 at 6:49 AM Report abuse
said...
I think the chief and the Portland PD did a good job. There is obviously more to this than she is admitting, but how can you believe a liar.
July 21, 2010 at 6:50 AM Report abuse
portlander said...
Am I the only one here who thought it was a hoax from the start? I drive through that area regularly at that time of the night on my way home from work and have never seen gangs of kids there. The false-reporter needs to be held accountable for the waste of police time and for stirring up prejudice and hate.
July 21, 2010 at 6:52 AM Report abuse
Jane said...
This woman is barely an adult and somehow thought the drama created with her fabrication was going to draw attention to herself with her relationship? Well, sweetie. It did. Unfortunately all she managed to do is instill fear in a community and use valuable police resources. I hope that she is charged for her crime and gets some therapy. And to her fella' ... run the other way, fast!
July 21, 2010 at 6:54 AM Report abuse
said...
Ummm, Stevie Wonder, the sexual assault never happened, so if it "is just the beginning", then it is a beginning of nothing. You're trying to tie Portland to Detroit through a crime that never happened.
July 21, 2010 at 7:08 AM Report abuse
ABC said...
I'm not so sure her partner is a fella'.
July 21, 2010 at 7:09 AM Report abuse
XPortlander said...
Why the press conference with a podium at Back Cove? This guy loves the media......and just wait until he requests the police chopper!!!
July 21, 2010 at 7:32 AM Report abuse
vivera said...
Great job PPD, this young lady should be thrown in jail maybe in the same cell as the parents that claimed their child almost was abducted.Also it's a good thing this woman is black, I'm afraid something like this could have caused race riots. I was sick yesterday just thinking about what she claimed, just upset me awful as I'm sure it did a lot of people.Throw the key away.
July 21, 2010 at 7:43 AM Report abuse
said...
Where are all the racists now? When the story first broke there were over 50 racist comments within the first hour! Gotta love cowards....
July 21, 2010 at 7:47 AM Report abuse
said...
She won't even do 30 days.
July 21, 2010 at 7:50 AM Report abuse
The Sandman said...
This is a terrible thing, to be lying about something so serious. I hope she receives the maximum punishment.
July 21, 2010 at 7:51 AM Report abuse
66maine said...
Why would a woman be walking the boulevard or anywhere for that matter alone at 9:30pm. I thought women knew to always be with someone after dark.... we have certainly been told that time and time again.....
July 21, 2010 at 7:58 AM Report abuse
spot said...
Yes, let's put the "race card" away...We can start with FOX News: "Having reviewed the full tape by Shirley Sherrod, who is the woman who was fired by the Department of Agriculture, and most importantly heard the testimony of the white farmers mentioned in this story, we now believe that the organization that edited the documents did so with the intention of deceiving millions of Americans," the statement from NAACP President Benjamin Jealous said."
July 21, 2010 at 7:59 AM Report abuse
beemeup said...
Bravo Chief Craig in your methods on this case. I think in addition to whatever else is in this woman's penalty for this hoax, she should be required to do community service with the local rape/crisis service and the police dept. as part of paying back city's costs for her hoax.
July 21, 2010 at 8:00 AM Report abuse
youknowit said...
Like I wrote yesterday, no black family from the Portland I grew up in has ever done anything like this, and I was convinced it had to be imports, assuming the victim was really a victim. Prosecute to fullest extent of law. If she was going to lie anyway, wonder why she didn't claim it was five white guys. I guess she's not a bigot then, just a liar?
July 21, 2010 at 8:06 AM Report abuse
X said...
This isn't a race issue as much as a fake-rape issue. Women have way too much power. Standard Operating Practices in divorce today, for example, is for the woman to file a Protection From Abuse order to bolster her case in court. Like many cases, it's more like the man being raped by the woman than the other way round.
July 21, 2010 at 8:10 AM Report abuse
homeboy said...
Another sad day in the City of Portland...
July 21, 2010 at 8:16 AM Report abuse
Al Sharpton said...
Where am I? Why am I not here? Hello, hello...
July 21, 2010 at 8:21 AM Report abuse
Someone said...
The race issue came because of Portland's demographics. Since she was anonymous as the victim, simple statistics would have predicted her to be white. Although she turned out to be black, it only takes a quick look on these boards to see how quickly it turned from worries about safety to blaming race and refugees. The police know of these tensions and finding out this was all a lie means that the tensions grew much higher for a day.
July 21, 2010 at 8:24 AM Report abuse
said...
Interesting story. Looking forward to learning more.
July 21, 2010 at 8:35 AM Report abuse
ltc said...
Perhaps the Chief could have waited to call a press conference so CID could finish the investigation...
July 21, 2010 at 8:46 AM Report abuse
said...
im surprised this woman wasnt from saco
July 21, 2010 at 8:50 AM Report abuse
Mutt said...
Maybe it was a fantasy that got out of controll.
July 21, 2010 at 8:52 AM Report abuse
upnorth said...
Does Ms. Morin work for Brietbart? Sure sounds lie (not a typo) it.
July 21, 2010 at 8:53 AM Report abuse
SL of SP said...
The interesting part of the story is: The location of the incident and specifics don't match where these groups hang out. Closer to KP or even up near the Woodfords area, maybe, but not on that section of Back Cove. NOW could the chief address the body found in Portland Harbor and what they are doing to look into the possibility of a serial issue?
July 21, 2010 at 8:54 AM Report abuse
Keep up the good work said...
ltc said..."Perhaps the Chief could have waited to call a press conference so CID could finish the investigation..."---------------------I do agree that the Chief was a bit premature with his "podium on the scene" press conference, considering they obviously didn't have all the facts. If I were him, I too would be furious to find out she made it up. The Chief has a little bit of egg on his face after that. That said, the PD has done a great job this week, with a lot of crazy bad things happening, and obviously the Chief's intent with the podium conference was to help the citizens by informing them about the incident. It just played out badly. All in all, though, a busy week for the PD and they are doing great.
July 21, 2010 at 9:04 AM Report abuse
Cracker said...
Racial overtones? Really? A black woman files a false report of rape by black men, and it's a racial thing? If a white woman is raped by a white man, is that also a racist thing? Or is this PPH reaching for sensationalism by alluding to a race incident and then holding onto the most crucial piece of information, that the woman is also black, until the very last sentence?
July 21, 2010 at 9:14 AM Report abuse
TruthBTold said...
I'd like to believe that all the bigots and racists that were so quick to demonize the african american, somali and sudanese communities in yesterdays posts would realize how foolish and hateful they are, but alas, I'm sure they are too stupid to acknowledge their moronic rants and unsupported hate speech. You lemmings hide behind the cover of the web, but only you know that you are just scared cowards. Shame.
July 21, 2010 at 9:16 AM Report abuse
Viki O said...
Heartwrenching??? What utter BS to act like it's not this woman's fault because of "internalized racism."--excusing her in this way is in itself racist. How about despicable? that would be accurate.
July 21, 2010 at 9:19 AM Report abuse
Annie-Moose said...
You can tell we've entered a 'New Era' when this wasn't originally handled as a 'Theft of Services'....
July 21, 2010 at 9:21 AM Report abuse
RUSHME said...
So someone in the city cried wolf, wow? You people act like this stuff has never happened before!The Chief maybe doing a good job, however its the CID Detectives that are doing the hard work. These men and women do all the hard work and The Chief get all the credit! Typical.....If the new chief wants to make a huge dent in the city. CLEAN UP THE TRASH IN THE OLD PORT!!! Until then stay off the TV, your starting to turn into another MEDIA MIKE!!
July 21, 2010 at 9:25 AM Report abuse
Iwatch said...
It's stupid or perhaps unbalanced people like this who make it more difficult for truly transgressed gals. Geez! What a nutbomb.
July 21, 2010 at 9:34 AM Report abuse
JustSayin said...
Rachel Talbot-Ross is one of the biggest racists in Portland. She's bitter and looks down on anyone she feels is not worthy of her presence. Ms. Morin deserves to be punished, BIG TIME for this!
July 21, 2010 at 9:47 AM Report abuse
AXel said...
Bush and his racist gang started this climate of hate.
July 21, 2010 at 9:52 AM Report abuse
said...
It's women like this that make the women who have actually been victims of an assault less believable. That's why they don't come forward. I hope she gets the maximum sentence the law allows. This was wrong of her on so many different levels.
July 21, 2010 at 9:57 AM Report abuse
xBLACKSHEEPx said...
Ok let's try this again. I think what that girl did is BS, and that she should get maximum punishment for her actions. We need to set an example, stop replacing what works with what "sounds nice".. That's the problem with our soft, bleeding heart state. I don't think what Stevie Wonder said is ignorant at all, maybe he has just seen something that you haven't!? Portland is getting bigger, and more "diversified". To those of you whom are "ignorant" and blind to anything outside your cake-walk town, that means it will get bad, REAL BAD! Sorry to ruin your utopian fantasy..
July 21, 2010 at 9:59 AM Report abuse
said...
Perhaps a Mental evaluation
July 21, 2010 at 10:08 AM Report abuse
JWR said...
Simply unbelievable ! And she's a Black woman, what's up with that. This case has more twist then shout.---------- Rachel Talbot Ross, president of the Portland chapter of the NAACP, called the incident "heart-wrenching." "It continues to support the notion that race is a proxy for criminality," she said. "We're feeding into racial stereotypes that encourage fear of African-American men." "That's how insidious racism is. There is an element that is internalized," she said.
July 21, 2010 at 10:10 AM Report abuse
Anonymous said...
What is failing in comprehension here is the fact that Morin is 22, young, implicated youth, race and most reprehensible: victims of such crime. However, there is an element of truth in Portland to her implications, race aside because gangs of white youths are just as capable as the purported gang of black youths in Portland. Not too long ago, there was a gang of youths on my street and when I called dispatch, I told them that I am only calling because Craig is looking for predictions. Gangs of youths exist everywhere, false report or no, and must still be a warning to be aware of surroundings more than anything. Gangs of youths are particularly susceptible to the mob mentality and I have seen it both first hand and vicariously in Portland. Be safe!
July 21, 2010 at 10:12 AM Report abuse
JWR said...
Simply unbelievable ! And she's a Black woman, what's up with that. This case has more twist then shout.---------- Rachel Talbot Ross, president of the Portland chapter of the NAACP said "That's how insidious racism is.
July 21, 2010 at 10:13 AM Report abuse
JWR said...
There is an element that is internalized," she said.
July 21, 2010 at 10:14 AM Report abuse
KPHC said...
There are two things that are disgraceful about this story: 1) it hurts future rape victims because it calls into question their credibility; and 2) it exposed many in the community as being bigoted and ignorant and quick to believe a story about gang-raping blacks youths. They were quick to believe this story because it's a powerful narrative that is fed to people by reactionary elements (Tea Party) that use FOX News as their mouth-piece. The idea is that all their problems are caused by the Somalis, by the Sudanese, by the Mexicans, by everone that does not look like them and that are changing the "real" Maine that they remember from their youths. And they think that guns and a xenophobic back-lash against immigrants will solve their problems. To those people: immigrants aren't your problem. The problem is you're poor, fat and uneducated and you've been victimized by a system of consumerism and debt, and you're feeling the sharp end of the stick now. Try reading a book, losers.
July 21, 2010 at 10:20 AM Report abuse
said...
"The race issue came because of Portland's demographics." The race issue came up BECAUSE of racist posters HERE. Not satisfied that this is a hoax stevie wonder needs to show up as the first poster this am to MAKE it about race, with transitman being post 2, agreeing!!! And then you wonder why you are called racists and plead reverse victimization!!!
July 21, 2010 at 10:21 AM Report abuse
WakaWaka said...
shirehobbit wrote: I know her through friends..... and she is CRAZY! she has a crazy girlfriend who they beat the crap out of each other ALL the time...their roommate doesn't like the fighting and gave them an ultimatum. So I'm thinking they got into a beat down drag out fight... once the roommate got home , to save her butt she told her rommie that she got rapped so her and he girlfriend wouldn't get kicked out of their apartment. This girl also is 250lbs and looks like a dude... so how 5 men could tell she was a chick, is just beyond me... dont know why she said black guys either... she is half black...
July 21, 2010 at 10:34 AM Report abuse
said...
gee it wouldn't surprise me to find it is the open carry folks behind this "hoax". CRIME=FEAR=WILD WEST The baxter blvd setting is just the icing in the cake. Heck maybe they paid her for this "hoax".
July 21, 2010 at 10:34 AM Report abuse
JWR said...
KPHC said... "To those people: immigrants aren't your problem. The problem is you're poor, fat and uneducated and you've been victimized by a system of consumerism and debt, and you're feeling the sharp end of the stick now."-----Wow !!! Man, you open my eyes wider. And it's damn near right on the money. I know in my heart my future wasn't taken away from me by, let's say, the Mexican illegal immigrants, although it was easy to blame them. No, my future was sold down the river some 30 years ago by a man named Ronald Reagan and Corporate America. But, I still don't want to mingle in the neighborhood with those who have no real desire to adapt to American life styles and have even less regard for me. Why should I ? Yeah, I may be poor, but I still have my dignity, or whats left of it. Where can I go and fail to assimilate, fail not for lack of opportunity but lack of gratefulness. You want us to accept you, then accept us and our country...
July 21, 2010 at 10:34 AM Report abuse
said...
KPHC: Right on the nose! The current climate of grievance lashes at the wrong target. The few rich men in charge (+ the occasional Carley Fiorina) are delighted to have the Tea Party and other fascistic elements of our society divert attention from the oligarchy that is in charge of government and industry and that is responsible for the destruction of the middle-class. As events are suggesting, though, the absence of a stable middle-class leads to problems that all the gated communities in the world will not be able to wall out. No revolution will occur a la late 18th century France, but the decay of quality of life in this republic for 98% of us will continue apace.
July 21, 2010 at 10:36 AM Report abuse
Larry Bird said...
Who asked you? Every has their opinion, which they are entitled to, however... It is these open forums that fuel disagreement and hatred (instead of compromise and productive action), and will ultimately lead to an non-unified community and subsequent demise.
July 21, 2010 at 10:37 AM Report abuse
JWR said...
Anonymous said... "are delighted to have the Tea Party and other fascistic elements of our society divert attention from the oligarchy that is in charge of government and industry and that is responsible for the destruction of the middle-class" //// And as the working poor in American have been dead and silence for years now, and as one class falls so shall another. The middle class which hangs on for dear life now, being fooled as the middle class where fooled and tricked in 1933 Germany. But when we strip away the facade, and we see people like Beck, Palin and a host of other the common denominator is they are all filthy rich.
July 21, 2010 at 10:46 AM Report abuse
xBLACKSHEEPx said...
Oh, I wasnt paying too much attention.. I see you were just quoting Anonymous; however it still has NOTHING to do with the topic.
July 21, 2010 at 11:00 AM Report abuse
locavore said...
wait. isn't that area called BACK BAY not BACK COVE?
July 21, 2010 at 11:14 AM Report abuse
les said...
C'mon guys, where is everyone from yesterday screaming for end of african americans for this crime? Did everyone take their white hoods to the cleaners today? Is there a secret Klan rally that has no internet connection? C'mon bigots, get back on here!
July 21, 2010 at 11:14 AM Report abuse
Cantfigureitout... said...
o.k., black woman accusing black men of rape = No racism. Gay black woman accusing straight black men of rape = Hate crime. Throw the bood at her!!
July 21, 2010 at 11:19 AM Report abuse
Ben said...
I'm surprised this is only a class D misdemeanor. That puts it at the same level as possessing a small amount of shrooms.
July 21, 2010 at 11:20 AM Report abuse
Ryan said...
I dunno. Seems like a pretty weak punishment to me. Woman forces police to target black men, lies to everyone, ruins the credibility of rape victims.... She gets a year in prison big whoop. She'll be back out in a few months doing the same thing. If your going to punish someone than PUNISH THEM. In this case she should have been made in to an example for others that lie to the police and target minorities. Chief Craig is soft and he's not about preventing crime- he has way too much compassion for criminals that interfere with police investigations, time and resources. You wonder why we've got crime in the first place. She admitted her own guilt only after it was made obvious that she was lying. This mentally challenged woman now goes to jail for a few months, I'm just guessing that we are not going to get this woman any mental help or counciling right? Nice work Chief Craig.
July 21, 2010 at 11:40 AM Report abuse
xBLACKSHEEPx said...
thats all this is... a class D misdemeanor!??? my brother was stabbed 8 years ago down by oxford street by an african american immigrant. My brother had deep stab wounds to almost every major organ in his body, and we almost lost him. The detectives told my Mother that the guy would get attempted aggravated murder; but instead he got a slap on the wrist and deported back to his country (serving NO JAIL TIME) where he would get high five!? Hmmm... But I'm sure if he was a native to the US he would probably have gotten a slap on the wrist anyway.. Gotta love justice!
July 21, 2010 at 11:48 AM Report abuse
Angus King said...
Maine needs more diversity!
July 21, 2010 at 11:50 AM Report abuse
Geography rulz said...
locavore said..."wait. isn't that area called BACK BAY not BACK COVE?"------------------No, it's Back Cove. Back Bay is in Boston, I think.
July 21, 2010 at 12:02 PM Report abuse
PEH56 said...
if she is black and said her attackers were white, would that have made her racist against whites? Would anyone care? Punish her for filing the false report and causing public unease, if there is such a law. Lying is a sin, she must deal with the consequences.
July 21, 2010 at 12:15 PM Report abuse
said...
JWR My posting to which you responded was given to Anonymous for some reason. This is AFVET calling PPH... We are fortunate that no powerful leader -- a Mussolini (who may have been a butt of jokes but who mesmerized the masses) or a Hitler -- has emerged. Sarah Palin is a self-promoting fraud with a few slogans, poor Trig, and lovely Bristol. She has no ideas and no capacity to govern. Neither did little Bush? -- true, but his election was primarily a result of the stupidity of the Democratic Party. We should fear the emergence of a charismatic rabble-rouser. It will not be Sarah Palin. If Mitch McConnell only had a chin!
July 21, 2010 at 12:22 PM Report abuse
said...
This case was handled properly. I'm sure it would have been same way regardless of race. She needs to be taught a lesson and pay for the additional resources used prior to the lie being uncovered. What the heck was she thinking? She needs to explain herself.
July 21, 2010 at 12:25 PM Report abuse
xBLACKSHEEPx said...
**KPHC, your comment "immigrants aren't your problem. The problem is you're poor, fat and uneducated.." Last time I checked those same immigrants are standing in line at general assistance, and filling up the entire first floor of the DHS building on marginal way. They are poor as well, why do you think they came to this country!? My guess it's because we are the land of the free... After all Portland, Maine is the NEW Ellis Island.. I will admit poverty is a serious problem but the problem is NOT the poor. It is people like you pointing fingers, telling people to read books.. Maybe you should get your nose outta the books and start taking a good look around.
July 21, 2010 at 12:27 PM Report abuse
Geology Professor said...
Back Bay. Back Cove. Or better yet, rename it back to Aucocisco. Some say the translation means heron place or egret place. But I think it might have really meant "muddy bay." Anyway the right translation would be in Indian Place-Names by Fannie Hardy Eckstrom.
July 21, 2010 at 12:31 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
AFVET,--I agree, Palin has been found out. (plus we Americans hate a quiter) I can see no one on the Republican horizon, and it's the one you talk about we should fear, they never saw Obama coming and we may not see the next Mitt Romney with the well edowed wife. Thankfully he trys to dodge his Morman faith, that's easier to attack then a Catholic.
July 21, 2010 at 12:47 PM Report abuse
Brian said...
Not her first time bumping heads with the law. She was arrested for theft 3 months ago. http://www.theforecaster.net/content/p-pox-042810
July 21, 2010 at 1:23 PM Report abuse
opie said...
she obviously is a scum....seems time to do hundreds of hours of community service for the minority/black community...still think the pph ought to post a picture of this loser so people will know who she is and we can shun her in the community--make her and her business unwelcome throughout the city
July 21, 2010 at 1:25 PM Report abuse
annieme said...
This is so disturbing on so many levels! And it's only a misdemeanor! This woman has caused incredible harm to the City of Portland, to women, to different races, and she will only get a slap on the wrist. It's just not right!
July 21, 2010 at 1:40 PM Report abuse
ThanksChief! said...
Someone asked "where are all the racists that posted here when the original story broke?" They're all still hiding in the crawl spaces under their trailers. They'll be back when they all run out of Baileys and generic cigarettes.
July 21, 2010 at 1:43 PM Report abuse
xBLACKSHEEPx said...
Yeah. Im sure all the racists are under the crawl spaces in their trailers smoking cigarettes and getting drunk. You are a mamaluke! You people really are just as ignorant, if not more so than the people you are commenting about.. Believe it or not, most of the racism in this state is in places of wealth and power. In the suburbs, where people have nice houses, nice cars, great honor students, etc.. They have the "color disease" as John Joseph of the NYHC band CROMAGS calls it.. Most poor, or as you would call them "white trash" can relate to the black community, and any other group of people who have been spit on and pushed around by predominantly white rich folks..
July 21, 2010 at 1:59 PM Report abuse
TroyHardcore said...
Hey ThanksChief! Why is it racist to think that Portland has a problem with the younger somalian population here?
July 21, 2010 at 2:10 PM Report abuse
ChiefCraigforGov! said...
"Most poor, or as you would call them "white trash" can relate to the black community, and any other group of people who have been spit on and pushed around by predominantly white rich folks." So you're saying that the people who make racist posts here are rich white people and not ignorant crackers? That hasn't been my experience, I've been poor and white and no one ever spit on me.
July 21, 2010 at 2:12 PM Report abuse
Expert said...
"Hey ThanksChief! Why is it racist to think that Portland has a problem with the younger somalian population here?" Because it is. Portland has a problem with forth and fifth generation white welfare people and white bums all over downtown.
July 21, 2010 at 2:16 PM Report abuse
Najib said...
All of you doeheads that are off topic and moaning about us rich people, eat your hearts out! How do you think that most of us EARNED our riches? By working and investing! Try that for a change and get away from the Democrat Party and the USAF! If you want to see what the military service is like join any of the other branches or National Guards. In the meantime, get out of the welfare lines and earn your way. Stay on track with the correct topics!
July 21, 2010 at 2:41 PM Report abuse
xBLACKSHEEPx said...
i didn't say that if you were in fact poor that you have been pushed around or spit on. I stated that the poor (im guessing you are!?) "can relate to the black community, and any other group of people who have been spit on and pushed around by predominantly white rich folks.." If you haven't been pushed around or spit on for being a "have-not" than I guess you are one of the lucky ones! As far as the "ignorant crackers" statement, you must be racist yourself!?
July 21, 2010 at 2:58 PM Report abuse
Expert said...
" I stated that the poor (im guessing you are!?)" Nope, I was. But I didn't whine about it, I worked hard and made money. And no one stopped me, or pushed me around. And I have some racism in me, we all do.
July 21, 2010 at 3:20 PM Report abuse
xBLACKSHEEPx said...
Oh and Najib is it? Too funny.. We did veer off topic a bit, but it's all relative to the underlining topic. I spent 16 years of my childhood on the streets, not in Portland where everything is a hand out, but in cities where if you're homeless you better know how to fight and when to run. I worked on lobster boats for many years and that's REAL work smart ***! I went from all that to owning my own home and business right here in Portland, and THAT is investing Najib. Not that it's yours or anyones business I am not with the Democratic Party, I am a conservative libertarian. I already said what I had to say about this topic a few comments back. I was just responding to yours!
July 21, 2010 at 3:22 PM Report abuse
said...
Najib -- your experience in the Cub Scouts makes you an expert on all branches of the military? I assume that you exclude ANGUS from your list of good military outfits?
July 21, 2010 at 3:22 PM Report abuse
JWR said...
Najib,--Not everyone has the smarts, or the money to invest. I understand your premise however, so this comment is not an attack on you. But we have had poor people since the beginning of time, and there is a reason we do. Getting away from the Democratic party has little to do with it, at least they use a condom. (if you know what I mean) As far as the USAF, when I tryed to get into them I couldn't because I didn't have the IQ. Bottom line is the 'have's and the have-nots'. The despicable part of course is that very few have worked hard and simply have exploited their fellow citizens. Ill gotten gain from playing wall-Street to the sweat shops of America. The poor can only hope on the lottery, geared just for them.
July 21, 2010 at 3:34 PM Report abuse
SoGirl said...
Why wasn't her photo plastered in the paper like the men who might have been arrested for the assault would have been?
July 21, 2010 at 3:36 PM Report abuse
spmama said...
What does "the victim" think the punishment should be?
July 21, 2010 at 3:56 PM Report abuse
concerned said...
She should be held accountable for all of the resources that were used by the City of Portland. She should be sent an itemized bill for all of the extra expenses.
July 21, 2010 at 4:06 PM Report abuse
Larry Tiita said...
Media Mike Chitwood never dragged the podium out to the crime scene. Chief Craig just one upped Chitwood. Brillant! The boogereaters in Portland are gonna love this guy. He must have taken some actring lessons while out in LA.
July 21, 2010 at 4:49 PM Report abuse
lisap said...
The veiled and not so veiled racist comments that occur here on a regular basis enable people like this nitwit....
July 21, 2010 at 5:40 PM Report abuse
Green Giant said...
Black Bray cove?
July 21, 2010 at 5:49 PM Report abuse
Scrib said...
For all the comments and rants it turns out the political significance is zero. A young woman lied- for some sinful reason. All the black/white comments are moot and probably embarrasing for some of you. What can we say? How about nothing?
July 21, 2010 at 6:15 PM Report abuse
MaineMan said...
This is the kind of vicious lie that, in America's shameful past, got thousands of African-American men lynched by racist white mobs. The mostly unspoken stereotype of black men constantly craving white women still permeates this racist society we call 21st Century America. It is perhaps a psycho-social sickness that many white women fall into this "game" of having a perceived power over black men by simply being able to hint at a "rape" in order to be in a position of control. Further, it is so unfortunate that the crime of False Report in Maine is only a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of 364 days. This type of false report ought to carry a sentence commeasurate with the crime which this woman claimed these men perpetrated upon her. In other words, this woman should be facing a sentence of 30 years to the Maine Department of Corrections. By the way, I am a middle aged white man and consider myself a conservative. Regardless, the truth is the truth.
July 21, 2010 at 7:48 PM Report abuse
said...
How about a picture of this smelly PIG so people can stay clear
July 21, 2010 at 9:46 PM Report abuse
COMMON_CENTS said...
Morin was Black...did the PPH fuel the flames of racism by implying she was a racist white who lied about Blacks?...another stereotype we can do without....someone gonna whup Conner over his racism? Kudos to Craig for keeping a cool head; too bad he can't jail Conner for a few days as a 'teachable moment' about using false racism to sell his newspapers...and being oblivious to Black vs. Black prejudice.
July 22, 2010 at 11:24 AM Report abuse