Lesbian who said three men attacked her in July faces possible jail term

by James Whitely - SGN Staff Writer

The Lincoln, Nebraska, woman who claimed she was attacked by three men who carved anti-Gay slurs into her arms and stomach was found guilty December 10 of making a false police report. Rogers could face up to a year in jail and $1,000 in fines when she is sentenced in February.

Charlie Rogers, 34, told police she was attacked in her home in the early morning hours of July 22, 2012, alleging that three men in black ski masks broke into her house, tied her up, beat her, and attacked her with a sharp object. She also claimed the men spray-painted anti-Gay slurs in her home before setting it on fire. A neighbor found Rogers crawling from her home naked at around 4 a.m.

Rogers, a former University of Nebraska basketball star, was charged a month after the alleged attack. Investigators found evidence in her home that they said did not support her account of what happened. Police claimed that Rogers deleted text messages she'd sent the evening of the alleged attack, and that she'd recently purchased much of the equipment that was used, including a box cutter. Investigators also found a pair of gloves that Rogers said didn't belong to her but contained mostly her DNA - and none from a male.

Additionally, shortly before the incident, Rogers allegedly posted on her Facebook page: 'So maybe I am too idealistic, but I believe way deep inside me that we can make things better for everyone. I will be a catalyst. I will do what it takes. I will. Watch me.'

TIED TO POLICY DEBATE?
The Rogers incident occurred shortly after Lincoln officials passed an LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance, which prompted opponents to mount a petition drive calling for it to be put to a public vote. That vote has yet to be scheduled, and the law has been put on hold in the meantime.

Rogers entered a no-contest plea, although her attorney, Brett McArthur, said Rogers maintains her innocence, claiming she didn't want a court fight or more of the publicity that her case has generated.

'She has a very sensitive personality and this has been a very frightening experience on many levels,' said McArthur after Monday's hearing. 'She's not a particularly outspoken person in the Gay community.

'This has been a very traumatic event for her,' continued McArthur. 'She has maintained her story, and having the focus of this investigation turned toward her has been really hard.'

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