Man Apologizes to Victim for 20 Year-Old Rape and Receives Jail Sentence

In one of the most extraordinary rape cases ever known, a man who raped a woman in 1984, and apologized to victim 20 years later, ends up sentenced to almost two years in prison.

THE STORY

In 1984, then 17-year-old University of Virginia student, Liz Seccuro was at a fraternity party. While there, she was given a "laced" beverage that made her feel hazy. She passed out, but recalls that during this time she was sexually assaulted by a fellow student named William Beebe, and possibly other students at the party.

Seccuro states that after the incident she reported what happened to campus officials, and to the dean---at which point she claims she was "treated dismissively."

In 2005, Liz Seccuro received a letter from William Beebe. And in that letter he acknowledged that he was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and pointed out that the ninth step in the program required him to make amends to any person that he might have harmed during his addiction. Following the initial letter, Beebe and Seccuro exchanged a few emails in which Beebe stated:

"I want to make clear that I'm not intentionally minimizing the fact of having raped you. I did."

Seccuro later contacted the Charlottesville police department to report what had transpired. Since there is no statute of limitations in Virginia, where felony crimes are concerned, William Beebe was arrested.

THE AFTERMATH

William Beebe, 42 years old, who resides in Las Vegas, was initially charged with object sexual penetration in addition to rape. However, he pleaded guilty, and arranged a plea deal when it was discovered that other suspects might be involved in the case.

Beebe was ultimately ordered by Charlottesville Circuit Court Judge Edward Hogshire, to serve an 18-month prison sentence, and 500 hours of community service. His community service is to be centered around alcohol abuse and sexual assault issues on university campuses.