Apparently, Norm McAllister is back in the dock, pursuant to a civil case brought by one of the three women who accused him of sexual assault and procurement.

You may recall that one of the women passed away before the states attorney’s office could bring her case against McAllister to trial.

A second woman, who was a minor when McAllister allegedly attacked her repeatedly, was extremely reluctant to be dragged into public testimony.  When she was finally forced to testify, the sordid details and public humiliation proved too great for her.  In a classic “blame the victim” moment, she was confronted with her own behavior, and fibbed about kissing another young employee at the McAllister farm.   

I suspect no one had warned her that she, the victim, would stand trial rather than the alleged perpetrator who was never required to utter a word.

Her allegations were abruptly abandoned by the prosecution and McAllister faced a sole accuser who was also a poor farmhand with a sketchy past. The jury chose to believe the denials of Senator McAllister over her extremely credible testimony about multiple instances of sexual exploitation and abuse.  Perhaps unable to completely exonerate McAllister in their collective mind, the jurors did convict on a single count of procurement.

Mr. McAllister is now seeking to reverse even that single count as he awaits a brief incarceration. but because the deal he agreed to had him admitting guilt in that single count of procurement, the accuser’s civil cases for damages against him was allowed to proceed.

It is that civil case that is now before the court, citing nine counts, per the following:

.sexual harassment in the workplace

.unfair housing practices

.abuse of power and authority by a public figure

.assault

.battery

.negligent infliction of emotional harm

.breach of warrant of habitability

Naturally, McAllister’s attorney, Bob Katims, seeks to have the civil case stayed pending the outcome of his appeal of the criminal conviction; but the plaintiff’s attorney,  Evan Barquist makes the case that Mr. McAllister points out that the plaintiff has been awaiting justice since 2016.

The plaintiff’s attorney, Evan Barquist, argued the case should move forward. Barquist said McAllister waived his right to avoid self-incrimination by testifying during his criminal trial. Barquist said, “He can’t unwaive them now.”

One can only reflect that, with former senator, Norm McAllister, Franklin County met and failed it’s “Me too” moment, two years ahead of the rest of the country. 

The whole experience has highlighted prevailing winds of misogyny and cowardice that buffet even tiny Franklin County’s Republican delegation. 

To quote our Abuser-in-Chief:  “Sad.”