Posted on 04/12/2011 5:14:51 PM PDT by Ralph the Hun
The Department of Public Safety has determined that the alleged aggravated assault reported to campus Monday did not occur, officials said.
Quinn Matney, a freshman, said Monday that a man grabbed his wrist and burned him early in the morning April 4 on the Craige Residence Hall footbridge.
Because his report was found to be false, the University will not report it as a hate crime, officials said. Officials have declined to comment on the motive behind Matney’s false account.
In an email, UNC spokesman Mike McFarland said charges could be pending for Matney.
“The only other thing I can share is that the student is still enrolled at the University and charges are likely against him based on what the chancellor reported in the email,” he said.
Terri Phoenix, director of the LGBTQ Center, confirmed that Matney could be facing charges. She said she will be having several meetings with students and administrators to discuss moving forward from the incident.
“The way this has played out should in no way deter anyone who experiences harassment from coming forward and coming to the police,” Phoenix said.
In the campuswide email, Thorp said it is important to realize that incidents of harassment do occur.
“When they do, we take them seriously,” he wrote. “We strive to foster a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment at Carolina.”
Though the report of the incident was false, Winston Crisp, vice chancellor for student affairs, said he is under the impression that Matney did go to Campus Health Services for treatment.
“There was no assault,” he said. “I think that’s all I can feel comfortable I can say.”
Thorp’s full email reads as follows:
April 12, 2011 5:53:00 PM EDT
Message from the Chancellor: Police Determine False Report in Aggravated Assault Case
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
The Department of Public Safety has determined that the alleged aggravated assault reported to campus last night did not occur. That report, filed with campus police on April 5, was false. The University will not report it as a hate crime.
It is important to recognize that incidents of harassment do occur. When they do, we take them seriously. We strive to foster a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment at Carolina.
We recognize that this has been a difficult time for campus. Members of the community who feel they need to discuss what has happened are encouraged to contact the Dean of Students Office at 919-966-4042; Counseling and Wellness Services at 919-966-3658 or 919-966-2281 after hours; LGBTQ Center at 919-843-5376; Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at 919-962-6962; or Human Resources’ Employee Assistance Program at 919-929-2362
Sincerely,
Holden Thorp
“...and charges are likely against him ...”
Note: Crystal Mangum, who went to the same school (although lawyers could not confirm any courses she took) was not charged for making her false claims about the Duke lacrosse team. That caused far more damage and expense, and still isn’t over; but she walked away scot free...
Yeah, the liberals here will just say he needs help and give him a free pass. They’ll just file it under “fake but accurate”.
I saw the story earlier today and thought it sounded like a typical bogus “hate crime” from a drama queen. I didn’t think it would get debunked so fast.
They should charge him with a hate crime, because I hate liars!
Yep, this story stunk from the get-go.
In typical “Daily Tar Heel” fashion, they shut off the public’s comments to the story when people started questioning the paper’s ability to be truly journalistic and ask the hard questions.
Hey now, Mangum went to NC Central, which is a few miles down Hwy. 54. Enough nuts went to UNC — we don’t need to add to the tally!
Wouldn’t a false report in itself be a hate action and a hate crime, in reverse???
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.