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Pierce Hunter, a 19-year-old sophomore at UC Davis has been arrested on suspicion of attempted rape, according to reports in the Davis Enterprise and KCRA in Sacramento.
According to his college profile and those newspapers, Hunter’s hometown is Pleasanton and he graduated from San Ramon Valley High School in 2008.
“He was taken into custody on attempted rape and forced oral copulation last Thursday (April 22),” Captain Joyce Souza of the U.C. Davis Police Department confirmed Tuesday. “This was a delayed reporting. However, the victim involved in that had been exposed to some escalated aggressive behavior… There were some threats made, so out of fear, the victim came forward.”
Souza said the initial incident occurred more than two months ago in a residence hall on campus, and that Hunter and the victim, a fellow student, knew each other.
Hunter, a member of the U.C. Davis swim team, was also a member of the swim team at San Ramon Valley High.
Souza said the case remains under investigation and has asked for any others who might be victims to come forward. So far, she said, there’s no indication that there are others.
However, Souza said any local victims should contact police in their area, adding, “if they have information, we can still help them.”
Hunter was ordered held in Yolo County Jail on $150,000 bond.
Cholo reported on this crime days ago!
Wow. So much for “innocent until proven guilty.” Even though it doesn’t sound good for this guy, I do not think the PW should have posted his picture on this article.
Seems to me, I remember something about the Duke Lacrosse team and how they were unfairly convicted until further evidence proved them innocent of all charges.
I have no involvement in this case, but I think it would be worth noting that “Arrested” and “Charged” are not legally interchangeable terms. This is an alleged crime at this point. Printing a picture, hometown, and school association for the sake of sensationalism seems irresponsible. I know this paper is often accused of not reporting on crimes and incidents affecting our community, but I believe some degree of judgment should be applied by the editors in the early stages of the process. If there is some direct evidence to present (witnesses or some additional corroborating evidence besides he said/she said), then by all means make this a main stream news story. If not you might consider showing some future restraint until additional facts unfold. I know that an allegation of unlawful use of force is a justifiably complex subject. And as I said, I don’t know this young man or his family. But it seems to me that the Pleasanton Weekly just went to the mat to ruin a young man’s life through the power of his home town newspaper. Perhaps the public humiliation is justified, but a little patience and restraint would go a long ways to prove that the “Community of Character” mantra is more than a slick marketing slogan.
If I were this boy’s parents, I’d be talking to my attorneys about PW posting this picture and revealing this boy’s name prior to a conviction.
Just simply amazing … and scary … that the PW could do this.
his facebook
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1207132513
Glenn Wohltmann and PW are way out of line here. Unfortunately there are links to report objectionable content for comments, but not for the article itself.
Innocent until proven guilty, do NOT need his picture. What journalistic value does it serve?!?!
Sounds like this guy didn’t get along with this girl to well and she decided to get even by making up a story two months old so it can’t be shown she’s lying. At least thats the assumption we should all make until its been proven otherwise and decided by a jury.
Pleasanton Weekly has done the community and this guy a diservice with its approach here.
Having had an awful experience where a friend was falsely accused I would like to interject some relevant points:
There are more than 100 false accusations made in the Tri-Valley area each year.
Most never get past the initial investigation.
Most are made by girls who have been in consenting situations and then get “caught” by family, so they make themselves a victim.
For the young man to be arrested means there is more than a smoking gun.
Having said all that, I agree that he is innocent until proven guilty, This is an arrest, not a conviction.
This paper is also often accused of not giving enough information on the description of a suspect when they do report a crime!
Been there:
Very valid points. Many times there is a false accusation made, and right now, we do not know if this was a true attempted rape or a false accusation. Until all the facts are known, we need to assume the guy is innocent. Innocent until proven guilty.
That being said, I have also seen that some people in the East Bay are too quick to dismiss a sex offense as a “nothing.”
Swim teams that are in the East Bay (like SRVLA, Seahawks) need to look at the Megan’s Law database and make sure that registered sex offenders are not allowed to be around minors/swimmers. That is what schools do, and that is what sports organizations, whether it is swimming or soccer or football should do as well.
Where did PW get that picture? Is he smiling for his mug shot?
I agree Stacey, but I am saying perhaps some degree of restraint is in order. It is ok to report the arrest, but use the correct terminology and leave out the picture and details until you have some information with legs. Let’s remember that the Angela Street bomber case was chocked full of evidence from the very first report. There has since been a full investigation, numerous reports, comments, and stories, but no picture of Mrs. Z and little deep sustaining information presented on the progress of the case by the Pleasanton Weekly. Much of the same could be said for our own Angela Street version of Breaking Bad.
The picture trend seemed to start with the Hispanic men accused of shooting the mentally challenged man, and the young man caught while burglarizing a Main Street store. At least those stories presented some sustaining evidence. I realize that this type of crime is difficult to prosecute and prove, and gender bias radically affects perception of the degree of evidence required for arrest. And I also realize that I will likely be lambasted for appearing to be ethnically biased by offering qualified support for a Caucasian kid. But this story smacks of a police requested fishing expedition. And I frankly expect more of my local fish wrap.
I think would be interesting to know how many of the above posters who don’t state their gender are male. I agree that the picture and story of someone “arrested on suspicion of” is very damaging to someone who may be innocent. However, it is commom for papers to report on and print pictures of adults arrested for crimes they are not proven guilty of committing. Ernest Scherer and Henry Germain are local cases that come to mind. This young man is young, but an adult in the eyes of the law.
But for so many to assume that the girl is lying is troubling to me. I would strongly believe that there are many more non-reported incidents of rape/sexual assault than there are falsely accused people. Coming forward is not an easy thing for a victim. Obviously and sadly there is much antagonism against girls/women who do, which exerts pressure to be silent, which is one of the charges against this young man.
A person in our legal system IS innocent until proven guilty. This should apply to the possible victim, also. For so many to imply that she is probably lying is a shame. Say the paper is wrong for treating a suspected criminal this way NOT that the suspected victim is the guilty one.
If the young women is accused of making false charges against him, then let’s see her picture and charges published, too. We definitely should not let women who make false charges get a free ride publicity-wise either.
How can the police find other suspected victims if the identity of the accused is not published? In most cases of sexual assault it is not until the first victim comes forward that other silent victims have the courage to do the same. We have seen this over and over with coaches, priests, etc. If the girl is lying and the accused is innocent I hope the same attention is given to that and the identity of the girl that falsely accused him as has been to this story. Make that headline news, also. But if this guy is a repeat offender that also needs to be determined.
MORE SLEEZEBALL JOURNALISM!!!
PW and the Editing staff have no heart, soul, or conscious!!!
I think there should be some sort of demonstration of organized public protest.
THIS KIND OF YELLOW JOURNALISM MUST BE PUNUISHED!
ANY IDEAS OUT THERE?
Innocent until proven guilty!!
“Obviously and sadly there is much antagonism against girls/women who do, which exerts pressure to be silent, which is one of the charges against this young man.”
What is more troubling in our community is that people who have already been labeled as registered sex offenders as per Megan’s law database, are not followed more closely to make sure they do not interact with minors. In a PUSD school, a sex offender would not be allowed to volunteer. The same should apply to private organizations such as swim teams.
Local swim teams have the responsibility to protect their members/swimmers which are all minors. These local teams need to look at Megan’s law for a list of registered sex offenders and make sure that no sex offender is allowed to volunteer with them because of the presence of minors.
It is not too hard and it does not take much time, to look up the list of registered sex offenders in Pleasanton.
In my humble opinion, this case will be decided in a court of law.
Sometimes there are bigger fish to fry than the “illegals” locals like to report to ICE!
If he is GUILTY, he will get what’s coming.
All these guys that are so indignant would be ready to kill the guy if the girl were there daughter. This may sound bad, but if you are an upper middle class white who gets arrested you are going to be in the paper. If you are a black that lives in the projects no one will ever know.
Oh..Ok StevieP…your point is that because this guy has been “tried and convicted” in the local media, it is ok for other media, like the Pleasanton Weekly, to “pile on” and further convict him in the public eye, before a trial occurs.
Your logic is … well … illogical.
The NC Mike Nifong law offices have a job opportunity for you as their PR Director. Or you’d fit in well at the leftist Pleasanton Weekly offices, as well.
Because of the seriousness of this issue, this is a request for Gina Channel-Allen to please provide justification on this board for allowing the posting this boy’s picture, etc. prior to him actually being convicted of the charges he is facing.
If, for some reason, he is pronounced innocent of the charges, the Pleasanton Weekly and other local media have already inflicted serious damage to this boy and his family.
It is our policy, as well as the policy of just about every other media organization in the country, to name adults arrested and charged with crimes of this nature. We will follow this story and continue to report on it as it goes through the court system.
Gina, thanks for your response. Another request please.
If he is determined to be innocent by virtue of a girl who lied please publish all of the same relevant and identifying information about her. Note, readers, I said “if”.
Ms. Channell-Allen,
I respect the right of the media to publish such information, however I believe many are questioning whether the picture and school association included in the article were appropriate additions to your story as there was little else presented. I think it is important to remember the context and influence of your paper as well. Given the weight of your normal faire, you have to know that this posting would take front and center stage within the community.
I am not denying your right to publish as you see fit, but I am questioning your judgment as applied to this local newspaper and website. And I am not diminishing the word or state of the alleged victim, or the work of the police force involved, but I would remind you that this alleged act was not committed here. The victim (as far as reported) does not live here. So what have you accomplished besides prematurely humiliating a local resident and his family for the sake of sensationalism to support your commercial venture? Perhaps a lighter touch might have been applied until the District Attorney decides whether to further the case? You have certainly treated other alleged criminals that have had a much more pronounced effect on our community with a great deal more care.
I DO hold you to a higher standard on issues reported that directly affect this community. I am occasionally disappointed, but I do continue to hope for a greater measure of responsibility from you to our community than I expect of the major news outlets.
Carry on.
He is 19 and considered an adult. How do we know if he may have done this at high school also and the girls were afraid to come forward? Yes he is inocent until proven guilty, but publishing his picture may bring more things out of the woodwork. I feel bad for his family, and do hope that the right justice will be served.
Resident, If the woman is arrested and charged with a crime for providing false information in this case, we would publish that information. If the woman is an adult, we would publish her name, hometown and other information if it pertained to our community.
I appreciate your asking these questions.
Ms. Channell-Allen
Last month you reported of 2 brothers in Pleasanton that were manufacturing meth labs out of their parents house , and their picture was on the news , making the drug in Pleasanton. Making a harmful drug that threatens our children, yet no picture of them can you tell me why you decided not to print their picture?
The other resident here 😉
I don’t want to appear to be too wrapped up in this issue, but I did want to return to my original point that the young man was arrested, but if the investigation is ongoing, he has yet to be charged. The police make the arrest, but the district attorney is responsible for bringing the charge. Therefore your headline is inaccurate. I think that accurate reporting should be expected in a case that is so potentially damaging to many on all sides of the event.
Just to add .. this case is in Davis .. the meth lab was in Pleasanton, along with the contents of making this drug, you did report it but there was no picture , but KTVU had the picture on the news, could you not find the picture, or is this a double standard that the PW has .. just wondering on why you didnt do last month what you are doing today, or is a methlab not news worthy
The person who has been arrested is legally an adult. The PW has done nothing wrong by publishing the story.
Didn’t the PW also recently post a story about two youths who attacked another in Pleasanton? They were also young, but there were no complaints when the PW posted their names, ages and hometowns.
The PW staff has responded to questions about their reporting and how they will follow up on this story which is of interest to our community.
Enough bashing them for doing exactly what a newspaper is supposed to do – report the news.
The brothers that were arrested for the meth lab were 40 and 50 years old still no picture … 19 year old accused with “unkown” proof and you get a picture … just wondering where the standards are?
NBA fan missing the point, I dont believe anyone has an issue with reporting the news but posting a picture I think is the issue there is no reason to post a picture until proven guilty
Weekly,
It doesn’t do much good to respond to the issues raised in this article. You aren’t going to appease everyone or most. Also, the court has ruled the false reporting to police section to be unconstitutional, so no one should be arrested for that in California anymore.
resident,
As far as “arrested” and “charged” there are differences in the California justice system. A peace officer can arrest any person when they have probable cause a crime has been committed. A prosecutor charges people with crimes. A prosecutor can’t arrest and a peace officer can’t charge. By now though, it is likely the suspect has been both arrested and charged.
Other posters,
The Weekly is simply reporting a UC Davis peace (police) officer made an arrest, for attempted rape, on the suspect – meaning the officer believed there was probable cause a crime occurred (which is a much lower standard than beyond a reasonable doubt). The Weekly simply reported the facts. The Weekly reporting the facts and the officers making an arrest doesn’t mean they are guiltly until a court says they are (Example: Do you think the news should not report on the BART officer being arrested for that New Year’s shooting because techincally he isn’t guilty until a court says he is?)
While I don’t agree with all the Weekly does, I don’t see much wrong in this article – including posting the picture. It is common journalistic practices what they did in this case. (and for those wondering, the female’s name won’t be reported ever because she is “protected” since she is the victim of a sex crime)
Practice what you peach “it is our duty to report the news” I get that, like I stated before 2 men in the ages of 40-50 we arrested with evidence on tools and materials to make the drug known as meth in a garage in the city of Pleasanton, which PW reported on , and with the Pleasanton Police finding evidence that was filmed on the TV report also their picture was given out to the media.. again if the PW is gonna “stand by” their policies of “news reporting” if they can tell me why they feel the need not to post a picture of “meth makers” that are making meth in my town
waiting for the PW resonse to my question
This kid is innocent until proven guilty. However, when something like this happens, and the information is released, that can be a good thing as it may help other potential victims come forward. If this kid is innocent, then his name will be cleared and the media can help with that.
I am tired of people thinking sex offenses are minor things not to worry about. If this kid is indeed guilty, he will have to register as a sex offender, and I hope that if that is the case, that he is not allowed to volunteer or work at swim facilities.
Any registered sex offender should NOT be allowed to volunteer in any capacity with swim teams, soccer teams, football teams, etc. Do we know for sure if this is being enforced here in Pleasanton? Whose responsibility is it to make sure a registerd sex offender is not being allowed to be around minors when it comes to sports?
PW your silence speak in large volumes to my questions, and I thank you for proving my point, again Practice What You Preach .. I guess you felt that it was not important to post pictures of meth lab manufacturers, thank you.
PTown PB
(Example: Do you think the news should not report on the BART officer being arrested for that New Year’s shooting because techincally he isn’t guilty until a court says he is?)
Wasnt their evidence of the Bart Police caught on camera committing the crime
Disappointed – Although photos of the men accused of operating a meth lab in Pleasanton were available through tv media sources, were photos provided in any print sources? Perhaps the answer to your question is very simple – PW can access photos from other print sources, but not tv media sources.
Your issue doesn’t seem to be about the PW but a strong desire to see photos of two men accused of operating the meth lab published locally. While it might be useful for Pleasanton residents to recognize these men, the police have stated that they are keeping a close eye on them.
Pierce Hunter’s photo was published in numerous print and online media sources.
Resident – many families in Pleasanton have students attending UC Davis, so what has happened there IS of interest to this community. Additionally, Hunter is from the Tri Valley Area, so it’s natural that his arrest would be of interest to the community. If you are interested in the hows and whys of Hunter’s arrest, google the Sacramento Bee article about Hunter’s arrest which provides a link to the actual criminal charges filed.
It is not sensationalism for the PW to publish details of Hunter’s arrest. It’s reporting facts of interest to the community. There have been times when the PW has been accused of publishing stories that are slanted by editorial opinion. That is not the case here.
Here you can find the criminal complaint against Hunter:
http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=79991
(look at the PDF file when you click on the blue area to read the complaint)
The charges look pretty bad, and I am glad the PW published the story.
Has anybody contacted the firm of Nifong & Sharpton yet? I hear they’re experts on these types of cases.
NBA fan could be, but Im not buying it, hard to believe that PW couldnt put that together Press releases photos from Alameda County Sheriff is for the media which includes ,TV news & newspapers, and as the “duty” for PW to report news (as they stated) then they would have access to the photos, so nope aint buying it , pass .
My whole point here is that the whole Meth-Lab issues was example if the PW wants to stand by the whole “journalism” thing then by all means be my guest, next time there are people making “crank” in my town, throw a photo out there as well, so I know who else to keep my kids away from.
Be true to the game, dont pick your spots
Posted by Disapointed, a resident of the Castlewood Heights neighborhood, 7 hours ago
That is exactly what I’m saying. Whenever someone is arrested there is of course evidence of the crime being committed. The BART PD officer is technically still innocent until a court says otherwise, even though there is strong video evidence. I could bring an example of any crime out there (i.e. the son of the Castlewood couple who was murdered being arrested). My point was some people are saying the Weekly shouldn’t report an arrest because the person is innocent until proven guilty. It doesn’t make sense to not report on events when they occur.
It is a fact though, the suspect in this case lives in Pleasanton and was arrested for a felony. As far as it being newsworthy or not for the Weekly, I’m not sure, but they have reported on other events which do not directly involved Pleasanton and no one seemed to complain.
I read the complaint and it doesn’t get into any specifics other than the date of the crime. It is just what the Deputy DA normally puts in the paperwork when charges are filed with the court. Basically they copy and paste the applicable sections of law into the complaint and say the defendant broke those sections. It would be nice to get a copy of the actual police report and have it posted online. The police would just redact sensitive information, such as the victim’s name. It should be available to the public, were are not a police state.
This is not a total shock to the community of SRV High School- This young man had alarming anger issues in both water polo and swimming. Many, many signs early on- so don’t be so quick to judge the young woman in this case. I am sure it will be hard to find witnesses from his high school that will say he did not have anger problems. This is why OUR girls (it could be yours next) just want to bury it and move on. That is how 2 months go by before reporting, something else happened to her and her parents must have made her step forward. Think people.
Actually, I’d be more interested in seeing a photo posted of the woman who was recently arrested for DUI.
You all need to get over your righteous indignation and open your eyes. This story and the picture of the perp were on the KTVU and KCRA news broadcast about a week ago.
If you have a complaint, it should be why dd it take so long to publish the story in PW.
Regardless as to whether this guy is a predator or not, this information has been in the public domain for some time. Move on, nothing new to see here.