Two medical professionals testified yesterday that an Ohio University student who said she was violently raped had no injuries indicative of force on her arms and legs, but gave conflicting statements on the accuser's vaginal injuries.
The woman, an OU student, said former OU student Matthew C. Kulchar, 21, of Dublin dragged her into her Boyd Hall dorm room on Sept. 28, 2008, and raped her for hours. As policy, The Post does not name people who report they have been sexually assaulted.
Karen Robinson, the nurse who performed the sexual assault examination, said the one-centimeter-long tear in the woman's vaginal wall is indicative of nonconsensual sex. A tear like the woman's is four times more common in nonconsensual sex than consensual sex, Robinson said.
But an expert for the defense, Jane Broecker, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Ohio University's College of Osteopathic Medicine, said that similar tears are found on women who have consensual sex at about the same frequency as in women who have had nonconsensual sex. Bruises and abrasions are more common in nonconsensual sex, she said.
Broecker cited a 2006 study from the Journal of Forensic Nursing that compared women who had engaged in consensual and nonconsensual sex.
This study debunks the theory that has been used
Broecker said, adding the study was the best example she had found on genital trauma during nonconsensual sex.
Robert Driscoll, chief assistant county prosecutor, asked Broecker if she had read a 1997 study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, which showed that it was much more common for women to have vaginal injuries after non-consensual sex than consensual sex. Broecker responded that she had requested the study from Alden Library's annex, but had not yet received it.
Robinson said she noted discoloration on the women's neck and right breast, but found nothing on her arms or legs.
The medical report and photos did not indicate that the discolorations were bite marks, and the discolorations could have been from a hickey, Broecker said.
- Frank Thomas contributed to this story.,",1,News,Gail Burkhardt,29786a.jpg,Matthew Kulchar,",",",","
29785,2009-11-03 02:38:00,Republican duels Democrat for 4th Ward seat,Randy Morris challenges Athens City councilwoman for 4th Ward seat.,A Republican will attempt to unseat Athens City Council's 4th Ward councilwoman today in the city's only contested race.
Randy Morris the Republican challenged Athens City Councilwoman Christine Fahl
the Democrat
for the 4th Ward seat.
The ward covers Athens' far east side near Kroger
Palmer Street
Mill Street
and parts of East State Street and East Green. Residents can cast their ballots from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Baker Center or at the Board of Elections Office on Court Street today.
Morris
a 30-year Air Force veteran and political novice
said he has always wanted to hold a political office.
I had a good handle on solving problems in the military and finding solutions that worked, and I want to offer those services, Morris said. As director of membership for National Business Incubation Association in Athens
Morris said he creates jobs and wealth in the city.
If elected
