CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Rape suspect arraigned

Two months ago today, we reported on the arrest and charging of 18-year-old Jackson U. Sullivan, charged with second-degree rape. Prosecutors say he raped a 16-year-old girl who was incapable of consent, “intoxicated to the point of loss of motor functions … (during) what should have been an enjoyable high-school party” last November. Usually defendants are arraigned a few weeks after charges are filed, but court operations have been affected by the pandemic, and after delays, Sullivan was arraigned this past Thursday; we obtained the court documents today. They say he pleaded not guilty, remains free on bond for $350,000 bail, and is ordered to return to court August 25th for a case-scheduling hearing – those are usually short hearings during which the judge gets an update on the case’s status.

Allie June 29, 2020 (2:12 pm)

I hope he gets life in prison with no possibility of parol. And that is the kind me speaking. He deserves much worse. He has given up his right to live in society.

WSB June 29, 2020 (2:31 pm)

I don’t believe that’s a sentencing option for rape. I haven’t made it all the way through the manual, though.
http://www.cfc.wa.gov/PublicationSentencing/SentencingManual/Adult_Sentencing_Manual_2019.pdf
2nd-degree rape is, however, a Class A felony.
Thurgood Marshall June 29, 2020 (3:07 pm)

Don’t forget that tiny little part where there’s a trial and a jury decides whether or not he is guilty. It’s a pretty important part of the justice system and democracy in general, so important not to skip ahead.
- Louise June 29, 2020 (6:27 pm)
  
  Thank you Thurgood.
- Guy June 29, 2020 (11:11 pm)
  
  Apparently this isn’t his first accusation. He’ll be a changed person when he gets out. 😬
- mark June 30, 2020 (9:31 am)
  
  Yes, “tiny part” exactly as anywhere from 90-97% of felonies never go to trial and are plea bargained to a lesser (sometimes single charge) even when there is a confession and result in far less jail time. Yet the victim lives with the nightmare for the rest of her life. This is criminal justice? Will the real Thurgood Marshall please stand up?
  - The Real Thurgood Marshall June 30, 2020 (10:48 am)
    
    Plea bargains happen for a few reasons: 1) the prosecutor has concerns about whether (s)he can convince the jury with the evidence the state has; 2) the prosecutor knows (s)he can scare the defendant into taking a plea even though (s)he has concerns about the evidence; 3) the evidence is so good, the defendant’s best bet is to take the plea. There are other reasons, but those are the most common.Plea bargaining is an incredibly efficient use of a very backlogged court system. There may be outliers, but generally the pleas accomplish justice along the lines of what can be proven with the evidence.My comment was about actually accepting “innocent until proven guilty,” which is a cornerstone of our democracy and why John Adams defended the British troops from the Boston Massacre. This is a terrible situation, but you have a kid who has entered a not guilty plea. He deserves a fair trial and if he is found guilty, he deserves significant punishment for his crimes.

HelloAgain June 29, 2020 (3:14 pm)

Going out on a limb here but I predict based on Seattle’s slap on the wrist court system…will be reduced to something not even close to actual booking charge…probation 2 years…time served…and the judge makes him promises to never do it again, I mean like seriously, you have to promise.

Bill June 30, 2020 (1:09 am)

Not for rape!
- Alex S. June 30, 2020 (2:49 pm)
  
  Yes for rape, Bill. Happens all the time in criminal-hugging Seattle courts. You don’t have to look very far back for recent local examples https://westseattleblog.com/2019/06/crime-watch-white-center-rapist-wanted-for-attacking-victim-after-jail-release/

Tim June 29, 2020 (4:54 pm)

I don’t think you should say “Rape Suspect Arraigned”. Isn’t it technically “Alleged Rapist Arraigned”? Or “Suspected rapist arraigned”? I mean, there’s no suspicion that someone was raped – we know there was already.

Pelicans June 29, 2020 (5:39 pm)

Tim, Are you a criminal defense attorney?
WSB June 29, 2020 (5:41 pm)

“Rape suspect” is accurate and does not call into question whether something did or did not occur, it is a description of the accused person.
Jort June 29, 2020 (9:14 pm)

Dude, knock it off. The headline is absolutely accurate. Take up your beef with the English language and not the journalists.

daisyg June 29, 2020 (9:07 pm)

WSB thank you for following up on this, and keeping our community apprised of the ongoing status of this case.

Admiral Mom June 29, 2020 (9:16 pm)

Thank you WSB for the update. It sounds like no new chargers. In this climate I would be torn between pressing charges and letting the police in my family’s life or being quiet and avoiding the experience of dealing with the police

Alex June 29, 2020 (9:53 pm)

I’m sorry you feel this way. The vast majority of police are dedicated professionals who are not deserving the vitriol being heaped their way for the actions of a sorry few. Coming forward could mean other young women wouldn’t be assaulted.
- Admiral Mom June 30, 2020 (12:15 am)
  
  I wish you were right and there were just “a sorry few”.

Sorry, comment time is over.