By Victoria Fowler
Gazette Reporter 

WSU group seeks Hargraves retrial

 

October 3, 2019



A retrial is being called for former Pullman Police Sergeant Dan Hargraves. After the jury returned a hung verdict, the judge declared a mistrial Sept. 19.

The retrial is sought by the Associated Students of Washington State University.

Hargraves was alleged to have coerced a female WSU student to provide oral sex after he took her into custody in a city patrol car.

ASWSU is the representative body of undergraduate students at Washington State University. ASWSU initiates and coordinates student activities, represents student interests, needs, and welfare and acts as liaison between students and University faculty, staff, and administration. The group commits to provide students with a platform for success through advocacy, opportunity, accessibility, collaboration, innovation and purpose.

Posted on the student leadership Facebook page, the ASWSU “official press release” stated that the alleged actions of former Pullman Police Sergeant Dan Hargraves stand in direct contrast of the ASWSU beliefs and ASWSU firmly believes that the alleged actions are a direct threat to the sense of safety that law enforcement is meant to provide to the community and students.

The statement continues by saying how they “undoubtedly believe and support the victim” and “it is absolutely imperative for Hargraves to be held accountable for his revolting actions he allegedly committed.”

ASWSU also posted in addition to the press release stating their support for a retrial and how they “will not be silenced until our students can be assured they are always safe on our campus.”

Comments on the post were divided.

One commenter said, “Maybe you should all pay for your own police force and court system if you don’t like the current arrangements.”

In response to the above comment another Facebook user commented saying, “I support the statement made by ASWSU executives regarding the position of the WSU undergraduate student body; I understand it’s a nuanced issue, but I can’t fathom what would compel you to come to the defense of an alleged sexual predator.”

Whitman County Prosecutor Denis Tracy has not announced whether he plans to retry Hargraves’ case after the first trial ended with a hung jury.

 

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