ROCKLAND, Maine — Charges against a 34-year-old man — accused of sexually assaulting a woman who told police she had been physically restrained for two months — have been dismissed after the victim recanted.
Joshua Woodbury was arrested July 24 in South Thomaston where he had been living in a tent along with the woman. Woodbury was charged with gross sexual assault and domestic violence assault.
The Knox County District Attorney’s Office filed a notice of dismissal on both charges, citing insufficient evidence. The dismissal notice indicated that the alleged victim had since recanted her statement. There was no indication where the victim is today. A call to the district attorney’s office was not returned Wednesday afternoon.
The affidavit filed by police in July stated that Woodbury was on supervised release from Florida for convictions of criminal restraint and assault in that state.
Police said the man had physically prevented her from escaping over a two-month period. The woman told police she was able to leave when he left to apply for a job at the Career Center in Rockland.
The woman was taken to Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport where she was found to have multiple bruises to her head, legs, arms and chest, according to the affidavit.
The criminal complaint against Woodbury had listed his residence as Warren but papers he signed and filed in court listed Skowhegan as his residence.
“Victim” lied? You don’t say? But, I thought that didn’t happen, ever? She should be charged.
Rawr. Public outcry!
A WITCH!
Because she recanted does not mean she lied in the original complaint (although that is possible). It could mean she did not want to provide testimony against the defendant.
Perhaps, but it also said the charges were dropped because of a lack of evidence.
In my opinion, testimony is not evidence and without actual physical proof the prosecutor had no case and therefore had to dismiss the charges. She also claimed to have been kept prisoner in a tent for some time. I find that hard to believe.
I feel like she made it up and when the wheels of the judicial system turned, she failed to have the grease needed.
Who ever told you victims never lied? Are you trying to tell us that men are never perps? They’re all falsely accused by women with agendas?
The attitude is that victims do not lie. I am not trying to tell you that. Men and women and hermaphrodites all commit sex crimes. And no, they are not all falsely accused. But I would argue that they are falsely accused enough for it to count. Women often get drunk and/or go to bed with a man and wake up and instantly regret it. Of course, screaming rape is a great way to remove personal responsibility.
Not saying it happens all the time, but it does happen enough to be an issue.
I believe that any woman that has been raped should never recant the incident. Any man that could rape a woman should be behind bars until that woman is ready to open the gate. All in my humble opinion of course.
She was kept captive in a tent for 2 months ??
Wow !!
Glad she got free.
You know, those tents are a lot stronger than the ones they use to make back in our parents day.
to think, women lie? Can’t be so. Not abused women in the cort system. They don’t try to gain the upper hand in custody battles or property division, The systems lets women lie while men have their lives ruined. All in the name of a policitcal movement.