Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Abess pleads guilty in court
COLFAX — The 17-year-old Pullman High School student accused of rape pleaded guilty in court last Thursday, August 3, to gross misdemeanor fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation charges.
Wazni Abess, 17, was sentenced by Judge Gary Libey to 15 days in juvenile detention, 12 months of community supervision, 150 hours of community restitution, and will be under a two-year sexual assault protection order, according to the Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office. He must also undergo a psychosexual evaluation and any recommended treatment.
Wazni Abess was sixteen years old when he was charged with rape in the third degree in December 2022 for an alleged sexual assault on September 1.
The alleged sexual assault happened at a residence off campus. Court documents state that a 14-year-old girl was at a friend’s house near the high school, where she and Abess sat on a couch together in a common room while friends were nearby in a separate room.
Court documents also state that following the assault, the girl experienced harassment at school by Abess on one other occasion, prompting her to change her class schedule with the school’s guidance counselor.
The case sparked a walkout led by Pullman High students, who marched out of class to downtown Pullman in late September. They were upset with the school district’s initial response to the allegations.
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
Reader Comments(0)