On Friday, prosecutors dropped rape charges against two Rockville High School students accused of raping a 14-year-old in a school restroom. That doesn’t mean we’re dealing with fake news here; there are still charges pending, and all things considered, the story is still horrifying.
Rape charges to be dropped against immigrant teens in Md. case that drew a White House rebuke https://t.co/Dm3It5SNbM
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) May 5, 2017
But most importantly, CNN’s Brian Stelter would like to point out that Fox News and conservative media reported on the case for days.
Fox News devoted days of coverage to this. Tied it to Trump's immigration agenda. But now police say they can't substantiate the rape claims https://t.co/vBN1THotqC
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 5, 2017
In tonight's newsletter ??
This rape allegation triggered days of conservative media coverage. Now what? https://t.co/huSxQgDB9a
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 6, 2017
How many minutes did @CNN devote to it, since you're keeping track?
— (((L.N. Smithee))) (@LNSmithee) May 5, 2017
To be fair, Stelter is CNN’s senior media correspondent, so that’s what he does. Still, we’re talking about a news network that will pursue the story of a missing plane through a black hole and out the other side. And when a story involves a 14-year-old who claims she was forced into a school bathroom and orally, anally, and vaginally raped, people are going to want to know how that happened.
And if we learned nothing else from Hillary Clinton’s campaign, it’s this:
"To every survivor of sexual assault…You have the right to be heard. You have the right to be believed. We're with you." —Hillary
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2015
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Wait a minute. @FoxNews was massaging a story to fit its political raison d'être? Are you serious!? Wow. I mean… REALLY!?
— Kelly Cooper (@narboink) May 5, 2017
You probably won't hear a correction on FoxNews, so their viewers (Trump included) won't get this news
— Donna L?? (@DonnaLfromNY) May 6, 2017
they mentioned the update a few times on friday evening
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 6, 2017
“Update” is the correct word, not “correction.” The two were charged based on the alleged victim’s testimony, and charges were dropped due to “lack of corroboration and substantial inconsistencies.” Both items are newsworthy, as CNN thought in this case:
4 teens arrested in alleged gang rape of 18-year-old in Brooklyn playground https://t.co/SEisQRNbZE pic.twitter.com/endLtQM46r
— CNN (@CNN) January 11, 2016
“I am disgusted and deeply saddened by the horrific attack that took place in Brownsville Thursday evening,” CNN reported New York Mayor Bill de Blasio as saying. Charges were dropped, though, due to a lack of reliable evidence and multiple inconsistent accounts.
Charges against 5 teens dropped in alleged New York playground gang rape case https://t.co/EJjv3KHd7H pic.twitter.com/6ODtIyEslk
— CNN (@CNN) February 25, 2016
Obviously, Stelter’s point is that Fox News gave the story attention because the two alleged rapists were in the country illegally. Believe it or not, there are citizens who believe illegals shouldn’t be in the country.
The story did raise legitimate concerns, such as why an 18-year-old was in the same ninth-grade class as a 14-year-old and was admitted as a freshman with no criminal background check or verification of his immigration status. And it’s not as though the school district didn’t push back with an agenda of its own:
#MD Gov @LarryHogan blasts @MCPS for refusing to share information on 2 HS students with @ICEgov detainers charged in bathroom rape of girl pic.twitter.com/81zTWnhmKy
— Tom Fitzgerald (@FitzFox5DC) March 21, 2017
And here, as Paul Harvey used to say, is the rest of the story.
Both are facing child porn charges and there's still the issue of why a 17yo and an 18yo who don't speak eng were enrolled as freshman
— Greg Pollowitz (@GPollowitz) May 6, 2017
So they are just child pornographers now? Welcome to the country!
— HalfPricedSEO (@halfpricedseo) May 5, 2017
Rape charges were dropped, but Sanchez-Milian has been charged with possession of child pornography. Jose Montano, 17, will be charged in juvenile court for allegedly forwarding pornographic videos and images of the 14-year-old girl.
CNN notes that Sanchez-Milian’s attorney alleged the whole incident was just another case of teens sexting.
Possession of child pornography is a deportable offense, [Andrew] Jezic said, and ICE would likely move forward to deport his client if he is found guilty.
Jezic said the charge was a “criminalization of adolescence,” and added that sexting was “an incredibly common phenomenon in high schools in America.”
right, cause a 14yr old child can consent to sex with 2 18yr old men, in a bathroom, at school… get real, its statutory at the least
— Richard (@revolution9916) May 6, 2017
Actually, according to the Washington Post, Maryland law requires there to be four full years’ difference in age for any sex to count as statutory rape, which lets Sanchez-Milian, “who is a relatively young 18,” off the hook.
But again, the focus really needs to be on Fox News covering the story for days.
Wonder if FOX will report this?
— Gail (@littlegee15) May 5, 2017
: That's UNETHICAL @FoxNews for you! Blast false charges, then ignore when ppl exonerated. No wonder CROOK in the WH loves them
— Cynthia Kelly (@cykelly1718) May 6, 2017
Fox News is fake news they should be ashamed of themselves those boys R owed an apology they need 2 dedicate the time and tie Trump 2 Russia
— cookie (@Redheaddiva79) May 6, 2017
And Fox 'News' will no doubt show an extended, heartfelt retraction.
— ☢️ Vid Heisenberg ☢️ (@TheDaveIsReal) May 6, 2017
Wouldn't it be nice to think they'll do a retraction. HAHAHAH – nope. ?
— Paul (@mrsipps) May 6, 2017
Probably won't hear a peep about this on fox
— Terri Shires Cates (@terri_cates) May 6, 2017
Has Fox News reported this? Probably not.
— Patsy Hughes (@nestofspiders) May 5, 2017
Wonder if @FoxNews will cover that in any way, doubt it!
— grey-sister (@grey_sister) May 5, 2017
Don't worry I'm sure Foxnews will see that charges have been dropped and will correct the record accordingly.???????
— Mono Lith (@mynerdword) May 5, 2017
Fox News did report on the charges being dropped, before any of those tweets was posted.
BREAKING NEWS: Rape charges dropped against immigrant teens in Maryland rape casehttps://t.co/CvT510B3XU
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 5, 2017
Rape charges dropped against immigrant teens in Maryland Rape case – via @brookefoxnewshttps://t.co/CvT510B3XU
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 5, 2017
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Here we go again! ANOTHER viral anti-Muslim attack hoax fueled by media feeding frenzy https://t.co/4BuaEZMYF2
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) December 14, 2016
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