Court acquits former US military officer

A retired US military officer who was accused of detaining and sexually molesting a 21-year-old woman in his rented house in Talisay City almost two years ago was acquitted from the charges filed against him.

Judge Ma. Lynna Adviento of the Regional Trial Court Branch 58 found no sufficient evidence against 65-year-old Richard Dunn who stood trial for serious illegal detention with rape.

In her ruling, Adviento gave weight to the “provocative” photographs of the complainant inside Dunn’s residence.

“The sexually provocative poses in the pictures somehow cast doubt as to her alleged involuntary detention,” she said.

Adviento also took into consideration a medical report which showed that the complainant did not have any evident injury in her private parts when she underwent some tests after she was rescued by the police.

The complainant was rescued by the police on Nov. 18, 2012—the third day since she was purportedly detained and abused by Dunn in a rented house in sitio Cainta, barangay Pooc, Talisay City.

Dunn was arrested and charged with a non-bailable offense. But the court released him in September 2013.

The Philippine Constitution allows the accused to secure temporary liberty when the evidence of guilt against him or her is not strong.

In an interview yesterday, Dunn’s lawyer Danilo Yap expressed elation over the court’s verdict. He said his client still resides in Cebu.

He said Dunn and the complainant met in an online dating site, and eventually became lovers until their relationship turned sour.

In her affidavit, the woman said Dunn “repeatedly abused” her in his apartment from Nov. 15 to 18, 2012.