Steubenville, OH – Ohio NOW is planning on delivering a petition to Attorney General Mike DeWine calling for the prosecution of a Steubenville rape case witness. The Ohio branch of the National Organization of Women wants the teenager who joked about the alleged rape on a recording posted online to also face criminal charges.
A news release from Ohio NOW President Jacqueline Hillyer indicates more than 85,000 residents have signed the petition. Members of both the National Organization of Woman branch in the Buckeye State and the group UltraViolet will hold a rally on Monday. The groups plan to converge outside Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office in Columbus at noon.
The protestors are hoping to meet with DeWine to plead their case for levying charges against the 18-year-old witness. UltraViolet and National Organization of Women members believe Michael Nodianos should face criminal penalties for his alleged failure to report a felony.
Two athletes from the Steubenville High School will soon go on trial for the alleged rape of an unnamed 16-year-old girl from West Virginia. As previously reported by The Inquisitr , at least 40 witnesses have been subpoenaed in the Ohio rape trial.
The Steubenville rape case grabbed national headlines after a video Michael Nodianos posted online went viral. The Anonymous group pushed heavily for the arrests of the accused rapists.
An excerpt from the release issued by the Ohio branch of the National Organization of Women reads:
“Ohio NOW and three other national groups sent a letter to DeWine in January calling upon him to enforce the rule of law and charge Nodianos, but DeWine has not done so. DeWine can command the respect of the nation by sending a strong message that Ohio law will be enforced, and that the crime of rape will be taken seriously.”
Earlier this year Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine took a meeting with Ohio State University student who delivered a petition calling for the arrests of “all involved” with the case, Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. The OSU petition reportedly had 70,000 signatures. DeWine recently stated that he has not offered immunity to witnesses who testify against the two football players on arrested in the Steubenville rape case. The trail is slated to begin on March 13.
Do you agree with Ohio NOW that Michael Nodianos should be prosecuted for not reporting the alleged Steubenville rape?
WARNING: Video contains adult language and graphic images
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