Lee Rucker found not guilty

I have worked in Tarkio, Missouri since 1996. I have known the Ruckers since they moved to Tarkio three years ago, and the Martins, one of the two victim families, for 13 years. I was also at Lee Rucker's child molestation trial in Oregon, Missouri. I would like to offer a few observations.
Keep in mind, being found “not guilty” by a jury in America does not necessarily mean that the accused is innocent. Guilty people successfully evade conviction in our court system and “get away with it” every day. Remember that O. J. Simpson was found “not guilty” by a jury. Is there doubt in anyone's mind that he was guilty?
There were noticeable similarities between the O. J. Simpson trial and Lee Rucker's trial. Rucker's slick, big-city, very expensive, but brilliant defense attorney simply out-lawyered the young, relatively inexperienced, small-town prosecutor. It was also obvious that the Atchison County Sheriff's Department had mad serious mistakes in preparing the case for trial, which contributed to Rucker's “not guilty” verdict. As happens all too often in America, Rucker got off because he had money--enough to afford a very good lawyer, at least. Too bad the victim families weren't given a choice of prosecutors or law enforcement personnel; the trial might very well have had a different outcome.
A big deal was made during the trial about the amount of time that passed after the molestation incidents and before the victims came forward to file charges—a week. Given the shame, fear, and uncertainty that a molestation victim experiences, waiting much longer than a week is not unusual in such cases. I personally know three people who were sexually abused more than 30 years ago, and not one of them ever notified authorities of what had happened. I also found it ironic that Rucker's attorney kept reminding the jury that it's virtually impossible for anyone to remember all the details about something that happened a year ago. Yet he frequently pressed the victims for such details, and he was the one responsible for postponing the trial for a year!
During the trial, the two victim families were also accused of fabricating the charges against Rucker with the two families working together in some bizarre conspiracy to ruin his life. The victim children in this case, and their parents, were not “out to get” Rucker. Rather, they all liked, admired, and respected him. I can't imagine anyone going through, and especially putting their children through, the overwhelming shame and nerve-wracking fear of testifying in open court in order to settle some imaginary grudge. There are much easier ways to hurt someone or trash their reputation. And knowing the Martins as long as I have and as well as I do, there is no way this upstanding, close, loving, helpful, generous, and—until this happened to them—happy family could possibly be capable of such a selfish, stupid act.
The thing that appalled me the most while watching Rucker's trial is that criminal defense attorneys are now allowed to cross-examine each of the child victims as a hostile witness! That was one of the saddest, hardest, most gruelling things to watch that I have ever experienced. No doubt this relatively new development will contribute to two things:(1) fewer victims being unwilling to step forward and prosecute child molesters, and consequently,(2) more child molesters continuing to molest and get away with it, with little fear of being caught, prosecuted, convicted, and imprisoned. From now on, good luck keeping your loved ones—particularly your children and grandchildren—safe.

Gr8skp,
If there had been some competent law enforcement people involved there would have never been a trial. Georgia Houghton, Dan Smith, and Zel Fischer should all lose their jobs over this ordeal.
Also, the accusers, Trev Martin and Derik Odil, along with their parents, Jerry and Traci Martin, and JoAnn White should all be put in jail for making false allegations against an innocent man.
If you were at the trial you certainly weren't listening to the facts. 12 jurors who had no bias heard the facts loud and clear. Let a dead horse lie.
Finally, your description of the Martin's tells me who you are. Keep trying RaciT, maybe you can win an internet verdict.

For fcuks sake it is OVER! LET IT GO!! Both of you make me sick! Keep dragging up this chit, ITS OVER PEOPLE!

HE WAS FOUND NOT GUILTY! END OF STORY!! CAN NOT BE TRIED AGAIN! FREE MAN! DONE! FINALE! GET IT IDIOTS???

7

Who? what? where? when? how?

Rucker will be caught the next time, he has gotten by with it a couple of time now. You don't ask boys over to your house for a shower party and no one find out. He will get what is coming to him because sick perverts like him do get caught!

Sure hope you have proof that he asked boys over for shower parties. Why don't you feel us in on that one.

I'm not going to feel you period but you believe what you want and I'll believe what i KNOW.

Play it again Sam wrote:

I'm not going to feel you period but you believe what you want and I'll believe what i KNOW.

Definately wouldn't want you too period. If you DO know then you should've been there with proof of that during the trial. It's people that come on here and say all this stuff they knew that happened, but never said a dam word to anyone about it that makes me ill. Especially if you are telling the truth.

LEAVE the Rucker's alone they are good people he was found NOT guilty!!! after all this they have been threw now they have to restart their lives.. what if it was your family member in his spot you want everyone to talk bad about them and call them names, its easy for sum1 2 do it 2 another family...

4 GET IT wrote:

LEAVE the Rucker's alone they are good people he was found NOT guilty!!! after all this they have been threw now they have to restart their lives.. what if it was your family member in his spot you want everyone to talk bad about them and call them names, its easy for sum1 2 do it 2 another family...

I completely agree you!

Meant to say I completely agree with you!!

gr8skp, BRAVO!!!!!!!!!

I hear Rucker is sueing the county and the ones who pointed their finger at him. This might get good afterall.

Clinging wrote:

I hear Rucker is sueing the county and the ones who pointed their finger at him. This might get good afterall.

Ya it might get good. After all the rules of evidence is a lil different in that sort of case. Although it will probably hurt him more than help. He would be smart to just walk away. Suing isnt gonna clear his name anymore than the trial did. From what i see the people who thought he was guilty still believe that and the ones that thought he wasnt still feel that way. Pretty hard to sue someone and win in these cases.

Injun wrote:

Gr8skp,
If there had been some competent law enforcement people involved there would have never been a trial. Georgia Houghton, Dan Smith, and Zel Fischer should all lose their jobs over this ordeal.
Also, the accusers, Trev Martin and Derik Odil, along with their parents, Jerry and Traci Martin, and JoAnn White should all be put in jail for making false allegations against an innocent man.
If you were at the trial you certainly weren't listening to the facts. 12 jurors who had no bias heard the facts loud and clear. Let a dead horse lie.
Finally, your description of the Martin's tells me who you are. Keep trying RaciT, maybe you can win an internet verdict.

Its sad people seem to forget that these are children and therefore it would be nice if you wouldnt post there names on the net this way. I know most already know who they are but would you want your childs name on here like this. Being a kid is hard enough. Show some class.

Geesh wrote:

<quoted text>
Its sad people seem to forget that these are children and therefore it would be nice if you wouldnt post there names on the net this way. I know most already know who they are but would you want your childs name on here like this. Being a kid is hard enough. Show some class.

I don't believe in protecting liars. Rucker's name has been thrown around on here. Turn about is fair play if you ask me.

Geesh wrote:

<quoted text>
Its sad people seem to forget that these are children and therefore it would be nice if you wouldnt post there names on the net this way. I know most already know who they are but would you want your childs name on here like this. Being a kid is hard enough. Show some class.

??????

Injun wrote:

<quoted text>
I don't believe in protecting liars. Rucker's name has been thrown around on here. Turn about is fair play if you ask me.

PUT YOU NAME UP HERE THEN! You talk so much chit, yet YOU remain anonymous, pray tell WHO are you?! I bet you aren't man enough to give THAT little piece of information out, are ya pussy?
Even though MOST people know who these kids are, IT IS STILL WRONG to put their names up here on this discussion board, THEY ARE MINORS!

AMEN!

It should be dropped period. It's over so let them try and get their lives back together. People still putting things on here isn't helping either, now is it?

Unfortunately, this is not over and will take forever to end. Not guilty in a criminal court means, criminally, he is not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, indicating the evidence simply was not strong enough to convict at 100% or within a level of reasonable doubt.

Now let's talk O.J. In a civial suit or cival court case, a conviction or decision within a level of perponderance is determined within approximately 51% or higher. Perponderance is a suggestion that this may have happened leading to a decision that may be in the favor of the plaintiff's. This could happen just like what happened in the case for the Ronald Goldman family against O.J. This is completely plausible.

Asking each side to simply just drop this issue is unlikely. Outside looking in, this is far from over.