Defense lawyers for two West Contra Costa men are investing a large portion of their time scrutinizing inconsistencies in the confirmation of an East Bay woman (called Jane Doe) the defendants are suspected to have abducted and attacked.
Derrick Ware, 29, of San Pablo and his stepbrother Robert McNeally, 32, of Richmond, and their cousin Dameon Spragans, 28, of Richmond, met Jane Doe and her male acquaintance in San Francisco in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 2010 after both parties had been having a good time, as indicated by explanations by lawyers throughout the case. Ware and McNeally offered Jane Doe and her companion a ride, apparently to the East Bay in return for gas money.
Rather, McNeally drove his truck to Richmond, where the lady’s companion was taken outside, beaten up and deserted. McNeally then headed to San Pablo, where the woman claimed she was sexually assaulted inside the vehicle.
Defense attorneys assert that the sex was consensual and that Spragans attacked the woman, whom the trio left naked and bleeding in the road. Ware and McNeally are accused of five crimes. Spragans asked for a plea deal for his part in the case. Howard Williams, criminal defense attorney for Ware, stated no one really knows what happened that night because everyone involved was drunk. Therefore, there are no reliable sources. William further adds that the prosecution is blaming Ware and McNeally for something that Spragans did.
Christopher Martin, representing McNeally in this case, said Jane Doe fabricated her story to save her reputation. Martin also added that the entire case relies on (Jane Doe’s) testimony. Thus, it’s hard to believe her because she has many stories of what supposedly happened that night. Jane Doe is not going to tell the real story because she wants everyone to believe she is a wholesome person.
