Eight women testified in a preliminary hearing Monday that Officer Daniel Holtzclaw used his authority as a police officer to sexually assault them.
Daniel Holtzclaw is led into a courtroom for a bond hearing in Oklahoma City on Sept. 3.
AP/Sue Ogrocki
Eight women faced an Oklahoma City police officer in court Monday, detailing how he used his authority to sexually assault them.
Daniel Holtzclaw, 27, was arrested in August after he was accused of assaulting eight women. As the investigation continued, more came forward, and he now faces 32 charges including rape and sexual battery related to the abuse of 13 women.
Prosecutors have said that Holtzclaw targeted black women in a high-crime area; women who might fear to speak out against him. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his family has said they believe the women have ulterior motives.
On Monday, a 23-year-old woman described how he assaulted her while she was high on PCP and handcuffed to a hospital bed, the Associated Press reported.
"I just really can't believe it because it's the police," she said.
Prosecutors also said DNA from one of the victims — a 17-year-old girl — was found inside Holtzclaw's uniform pants, the Oklahoman reported. The girl told the court Holtzclaw threatened to arrest her on outstanding warrants, then drove her to her mother's home. He pulled down her pants and forced her to have sex with him, she said.
"What am I going to do? Call the cops? He was a cop," she said.
A 52-year-old woman said she didn't think anyone would believe her story. She had been arrested numerous times and has been convicted of seven felonies.
She said Holtzclaw stopped her, then ran his hand up her shirt and into her jeans. He left without arresting her.
"It's my word against his," she said.
The hearing is expected to continue on Tuesday, and a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to move forward to trial.
LINK: More Charges Filed Against Oklahoma City Cop Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Women
LINK: How Police Caught The Cop Who Allegedly Sexually Abused 8 Black Women
from BuzzFeed - Breaking http://ift.tt/1uHQRwo
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