Rape and Kidnapping (1990) in Asheville, NC

As I close out my #round2mark3 petition, I lay to rest a part of me that wanted justice for myself. I did my part. It is completely in God's hands now. Faith without work is dead. My efforts were necessary for my closure.

In 1990, there was no social media platforms. No Internet. The world was disconnected.  The disposal of my rape and kidnapping case is probably not the only case disposed of in the manner that it was. It is my belief that two deals were made. One to placate me to thinking that all Mark Lee Murray III needed was counseling. (There is no proof that he completed counseling, and even if he did get counseling, it wasn't enough to stop his future documented pattern of violence against others.) The second deal was probably an unspoken deal behind my back.

Nonetheless, I have full rights to my story. There is no doubts about my ordeal. I proved my case beyond a shadow of a doubt. My moderate symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder are fully validated.

However, proving the crime is not enough to fight the deal that was made surrounding the dismissal of the charges. The charges were not dismissed because rape and kidnapping didn't happen. The charges were dismissed for reasons beyond my control.

Those same reasons bar the charges from being filed again. So the justice system works for the defendant in this case. Social media works against the defendant because public opinion is a pseudo court in itself. I won the #round2mark3 campaign. Mark Lee Murray III won the freedom of getting away with rape and kidnapping legally speaking.

It's a tie. I wished the match could have been wrapped up sooner, but God has a Master plan.

From Sexual Harassment to Sexual Assault to Rape and Kidnap!

I met my assailant Mark Lee Murray III at DuPont. We were both college students on work assignment there.

It didn't take long for him to realize that I was a virgin as I drew back every time he tried to grope me. I became a game and a conquest for him.

I had become an ongoing game even after repeated sexual assault(s).

Mark Lee Murray III's intent in 1990 was never about love. It was always about power and conquest over me.

10/10/1990 was the date of the first consensual sexual encounter which turned into sexual assault as I firmly ended consent with the initial onset of pain.

It is year 2020, and somehow, my fight for justice is still against power and conquest. Anyone who has ever been violently attacked understands that the ordeal is not something that a survivor just gets over. It is something one lives with for the rest of one's life. 

It is time for the game to be over.  #round2mark3 (image added 6/25/2020)

Please sign my petition to raise awareness and convince the Buncombe County DA that I deserve justice. Thirty years is long enough. #round2mark3

https://www.change.org/p/asheville-nc-district-attorney-office-support-rape-survivor-whose-dna-rape-kit-was-thrown-away?recruiter=532225508&recruited_by_id=215f0380-0a82-11e6-98d4-1b5d4649dd25&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard

Justice System: The name is the game changer.

Photo credit: Facebook

So I released my detailed account of my rape and kidnapping in November 2018. Unfortunately, what I learned is that Rape happens quite often.  There is a "rape culture' that exists. A "groping culture" also exists. I was quite saddened to hear this. Violent acts against women affect every woman differently. For me, my toxic relationship with Mark Lee Murray III became an ultimate tragedy that redirected my entire life's journey.

I was forced to release my assailant's name in December 2018.  The world stopped in silence, and it cleared a path for me to walk through. I have no regrets. It was necessary. Clearly, a prominent name is a gamechanger.

In June 2019, I asked Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams to file kidnapping charges against my assailant. Of course, my name is not prominent enough to get any prompt attention, but this week, progress was made.

My 1990 case is still visible in the system. When asked why didn't I file kidnapping charges in 1990? My response was that my story has not changed. I was pinned up in Mark's car for an hour against my will in a secluded area. It sounds like kidnapping to me. No further questions were asked.

I have secured advocacy in Asheville, NC.

The hashtag for my pending victory over my assailant is #round2mark3

My life has been hell with the post traumatic stress spilling into every aspect of my relationships including family.  I'm ready for due process. It is decades overdue, and God's timing.

Related links:

https://applebaumparadigm.blogspot.com/2018/11/my-1990-rape-survivor-story.html

https://applebaumparadigm.blogspot.com/2018/11/signs-of-1990-abusive-relationship.html

https://applebaumparadigm.blogspot.com/2018/12/identification-of-my-rapist-mark-lee.html

My 1990 Rape Survivor Story

Chills went through my body as I opened the large reusable folder/bag to revisit a night that changed my life.

I was the Hendersonville woman (second degree rape survivor). 

And here is my story:

On December 13, 1990, the cooperative education students of DuPont (Brevard, NC) travelled to Asheville to eat dinner at Annabelle's in the Asheville Mall. After dinner, we all decided to go dancing at Adam's in Arden, NC.  We all split up into separate cars. I rode with Mark and before we left Annabelle's  he told the rest of the co-workers that we were going to get gas and get him a beer, and we would meet them at Adam's. Mark (age 21) and I then went to get gas and get him a beer.  We got onto the expressway headed to Adam's. He then asked me "was I ready?" I said "yes."  He asked me again, and I repeated the same answer. He then said "Famous last words" and immediately took an exit off the expressway.  I was wondering where we were going. I asked and he was saying just wait until we get there. We were headed to a residential area.  The next thing I knew we were going down a very steep hill and into a valley. I knew that I was not going to have sex with him in the car. So before he turned off the ignition, I said "Mark, I changed my mind." He said "it's TOO LATE." He turned off the ignition. He moved on the passenger side in front of me, and he said "you don't play games with me." He continued to threaten me by not backing off. So I said very strongly and aggressively - "NO. I DO NOT TRUST YOU ANYMORE." I then moved back in order to rest my back against the seat because I figured that he understood and accepted what I had said.  But he had not because he let the seat back and was getting ready to pull my leggings down.  I immediately put my left hand on my left thigh as a defense which I  used all throughout the rape.  Mark then told me to move my hand.  He told me to move my hand two or three times. I refused to move my hand. He then took his right hand and put his fingers in the joints of my left shoulder. He was hurting me.  I then moved my hand from my thigh, and he stopped hurting my shoulder. He was starting to pull down my leggings and underpants at the same time.  I said to him, "I don't have a choice?" He responded sarcastically- "you don't have a choice?" He finished pulling down my leggings. I then said "No, Mark, I changed my mind." He then said "I AM GOING TO FUCK THE HELL OUT OF YOU."  He started fingering me. As he began, he said "I hope this does not hurt you, but it will make it easier." A few months prior to this rape, he violently took my virginity. After he finished fingering me, he pulled down his pants and underpants; my mind drifted into helplessness. He reached into the back of the car to get a box of condoms.  He attempted to take just one, but he was going so fast that one or two extra came out, and he immediately put them back into the box and put the box back in the back of the car. He tore the blue wrapper off of the condom and carefully put it on.  I asked him was there any chance of me getting pregnant? He then asked " do I have a period? and I said "yes." He asked when was my last one?" I replied "two or three weeks ago."  He then said "THEN NO." I put my hand on my thigh again. He then told  me to move my hand.  He kept saying "move your hand; Benita, move your hand." So I would move my hand after the third command because I was scared that he would hurt my shoulder again. He started penile penetration. My vaginal muscles had tensed up preventing him from penetrating all the way.  My body was responding from the trauma of him taking my virginity a few months prior. So he started fingering me again. Then he tried penile penetration again. My vaginal muscles were still tensed. I was about a size 4 or size 6 petite in size. He told me to open my legs. He was still not penetrating far enough in. He then used his left hand to finish taking my leggings off of my right leg.  He bent my right leg up to hopefully attain a deeper penetration.  This did not work either.  He lifted by body up with his hands and let me down and said "this is about worthless." He tried penetration again. He was still using his right shoulder to muffle my mouth each time he attempted penetration to keep from hearing me express the pain that I felt when we were together the first time. He was not penetrating any further so he asked me in my ear while he was still partially inside of me - "HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE FUCKED BY SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOU?" He then tried to force penile penetration by going in a vigorously circular motion.  It did work for a split second, and my body responded as if I had be punched in the stomach. My stomach suddenly contracted, and the air that was in my stomach rushed out through my mouth. At that moment, we both had had enough. He got back on the driver's side and propped his arm up on the window after he let my seat back up. The next thing he says " I was only with you because Monique(his girlfriend) was not getting along well right now." He then got out of the car and took off the condom and got back in the car. He started pulling up his pants. I began pulling myself back together. I was trying to rationalize the situation, but then I began putting it in the back of my mind. He then cranked the car up and we were headed to Adam's.  He asked me "do I respect him?" I immediately said "NO," and then I said "yes, I respect you, but I do not think too highly of you." (my politically correct nature kicked in)  He rudely told me to fix my hair, and he rudely told me to put on makeup. I told him he should be happy I was ever with him. He then replied "Do you remember when I told you I dated mediocre girls? Well, they would be 10's here So you should be happy I was with you. I told him he could say at least one good thing about me. He said "I was nice." He said "Benita, you're nice." He also said "I was too naive." I told him that I lost an earring, and he said "I had to find it because he had almost gotten in trouble before with his old girlfriend when she found one in the car that was not hers. But he told her it was his sister's and she had used his car.  I told him to stop by a gas station or store near Adam's before going to Adam's in order to get myself fixed up.  We stopped by Budget Rent A Car near the airport.  I got out the car and went into the restroom. When I returned to the car, Mark was not in the car. I looked for my earring. It  was on the back seat. I put it on. Mark came back to the car and drove us to Adam's.  I forced myself to act as if "nothing had happened." He told me to just tell them we stopped by his house to make phone calls. He put on a jacket to cover the lipstick stains from muffling my mouth. He told me " Not to become a whore." He told me "he hopes I won't say anything about what happened because he damn sure won't. We entered Adam's together, but quickly went our separate ways inside.  

Well, I told a friend that weekend about the ordeal. She made me go to the hospital. When Mark showed up at the hospital in his fraternity letters, it prompted his arrest.  

The rape never went to trial.  He had to complete a series of counseling appointments and the District Attorney dropped the charges.  Mark's family was prominent in the area. They did not want to destroy his life. That is how the cookie crumbles when it comes to womens' rights. I can only hope that I was Mark's last rape victim because clearly, I had not been his first.

#MetooMovement

Somehow, God still has a Master Plan for us all.  Tests and Testimonies.

Rape and Politics: Prominence of the parties involved drive processing

According to http://investigations.blog.ajc.com/2016/03/24/revived-rape-kit-bill-clears-hurdle-in-ga-house/, there are thousands of untested rape kits on the shelves in Georgia.  Georgia has no statewide policy to ensure the timely processing of rape kits.

However, in the 2007 Walton Way rape case of a prominent, elderly White woman - rape kit testing was expedited.  A fake composite sketch was even used with a REWARD incentive.

So processing of rape kits may depend on the prominence of the victim, how affluent the neighborhood, the county that the alleged offense occurred, the prominence of the defendant, i.e. politics.

Book Review: The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

"The New Jim Crow" book heavily surrounds the "War on Drugs."  Our Black men, our good Black men are stuck in mass incarceration. New caste systems are being formed.  The book's Introduction gives a great summary of each chapter.  

After seeing the one hour special where President Barack Obama visits the prisoners inside a prison earlier in 2015, I really started to understand the failure with the "War on Drugs."  Even President Clinton admitted to a failure in the "War on Drugs."  So I started skipping over some chapters because I really wanted more ammunition to assist me with my cousin's prison case.  Then on page 186, I found something.

"Once arrested, defendants are generally denied meaningful legal representation and pressured to plead guilty whether they are or not.  Prosecutors are free to "load up" defendants with extra charges, and their decisions cannot be challenged for racial bias."

So my cousin was denied meaningful legal representation - neither the private attorney nor the public defender questioned the reported DNA match judging by from what I have been told and the notes that I have read.

And despite no evidence of rape, my cousin was pressured to plead guilty for burglary, rape, and kidnapping charges - he repeatedly refused to plead guilty for rape and kidnapping.  Over and Over and Over again - NO Rape.  He would not plead guilty to rape.  My cousin would NOT give in so how did they still railroad him with rape charges?  It appears they did it "by any means necessary."  I call it "bait and switch." I also classify the State's actions surrounding my cousin as "beyond the normal range of corruption."

And yes, my cousin was loaded with extra charges - from burglary to burglary and rape to Burglary, rape, and kidnapping.

In my opinion, it is a sad situation to threaten defendants with the addition of "ghost dope" to an existing drug charge in order to get a guilty plea, but when the State is adding totally different fraudulent charges unrelated to the repeat offender's past record, that initiative is just reckless and an outright disgrace to the already questionable justice system.  

I do not condone any criminal activity whether it is associated with the defendant or the State representative(s).

#exonerateMichael from rape charges by removing the life sentence and giving him credit for the jail time served leading up to the trial and sentencing. 

Thank you in advance to those in positions to reverse this involuntary guilty plea that was obtained unlawfully in Augusta, Georgia.

Augusta, GA: Missing trial transcripts for 2007 rape trial?

Augusta Chronicle staff writer Sandy Hodson wrote in her 1/16/2008 article that "the prosecutor told the jury that DNA evidence would link Mr. Blocker to the rape."  However, was the DNA evidence ever presented during the trial?

Apparently, it was not presented on the first day of the trial because I believe Ms. Hodson would have stated such a vital piece of information in her article summarizing day one of the 2007 Walton Way rape and robbery trial.

The trial began on Tuesday, January 15, 2008, and continued on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 according to Ms. Hodson's article.

Link to Article "Victim of rape relays ordeal" during the Trial:
http://m.chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2008/01/16/met_180573.shtml#gsc.tab=0

But where are the trial transcripts?

Prisoner Michael Blocker ordered transcripts on 1/23/2008. He says no trial transcripts were included.

Then on 2/21/2010 Prisoner Michael Blocker sent a Pro Se Motion for Trial Transcripts; however, he has seen no trial transcripts. He seems to have received everything, but his trial transcripts.

A statement that I obtained from the court system says that Michael Blocker "chose to plead guilty after some hours of testimony at trial."  Is "some hours of testimony" equivalent to "two days of a trial?"

 Clearly, staff writer Ms. Hodson's article says:

• There was (at least) a second day to the trial. 
• Michael Blocker didn't remember any sexual contact with the woman.
• Michael Blocker pleaded not guilty.

So what compelling testimony happened in this two day trial that would make Michael Blocker plead guilty to rape and waive his right to trial?

Where are the Trial Transcripts for case#2007RCCR00181? and Why is there a sealed Envelope attached to this case on 12/20/2007?

#exonerateMichael

The Presumption of Guilt in Augusta, Georgia Rape Case

Augusta Chronicle article dated January 14, 2007 re: "Affluent suburb."

According to Augusta Chronicle staff writer Justin Boron, 

Sheriff Strength said

 "the attacker's choice of a victim so much older than himself has led investigators to believe they are dealing with someone abnormal."

"Alleged Rape" Suspect Michael Blocker describes how the jail obtained his buccal swabs:

I was taken downstairs from the 6th floor in Richmond County Jail to the 1st floor and placed in a restraining chair, handcuffed behind me and legs shackled.  I was forced to open my mouth so a detective could place two Q-tips in and rub them around my jaw.  He then placed them in an envelope and I was taken back to the 6th floor.  I was locked in my cell and wasn't allowed to come out since my interview after my arrest.

Sheriff Strength said his office will not let this type of criminal remain on the streets. "Guys like this, we're going to catch him," he said.

On Tuesday,  January 8, 2008, Assistant District Attorney Ashley Wright states "I don't think that I can make him anything but LWOP. Sorry." (LWOP means Life without parole)

"Alleged Rape" Suspect Michael Blocker says

he remained in the Richmond County Jail on the 6th floor for around a year.  After the absence of his 1st bond hearing where his private attorney did not show, he waited for another bond hearing to be scheduled, but it never was.  His private attorney who was quoting $30,000 to $50,000 to try the case withdrew; thereby leaving his defense in the hands of a public defender who did not  even question the "alleged rape" victim upon the defense's turn to cross-examine the witness on the stand.

As stated in my previous articles on this blog:

1. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations never reported ANY internal vaginal DNA match. (NO MATCH)
2. The results from the sexual assault kit showed No abrasions, No bruises, zero tears, zero lacerations, zero bleeding, zero severity.
3. "Alleged rape" victim was age 74.
4.  "Alleged rape" victim says suspect made a phone call on her residential line before fleeing, but only incoming calls were on the readout. 
5. It was 38 degree weather, and "alleged rape" victim says she was sexually assaulted in a green nightshirt with white lace trim; however, NO Biological fluids were detected at initial inspection by an on-site sergeant.

The family regrets the burglary.

In regards to the "alleged rape,"  the family is seeking the following at this time:

1. Life sentence vacated 
2. Fair trial (possibly in a different city)
3. Exoneration of rape allegations

Awaiting status from:

• US Department of Justice
• National Action Network
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Links to referenced articles:

http://m.chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2007/01/14/met_112462.shtml#gsc.tab=0

http://applebaumparadigm.blogspot.com/2015/12/2007-augusta-ga-rape-case-revisited.html

http://applebaumparadigm.blogspot.com/2015/11/2007-augusta-ga-rape-wrong-man-sentenced.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bryan-stevenson/tremaine-mcmillian-case_b_3560827.html

#exonerateMichael

2007 Augusta, GA Rape Case Revisited

According to the rape case files:

So on the morning of January 9, 2007, the alleged rape victim leaves her apartment unlocked to go walk her miniature Sheltie (dog) in 38 degree weather with clear skies.  She comes back to her apartment to find a Black male who demands money and jewelry.  He demands her to open a safe.  He demands that she hands him the property.  He then demands that she undresses.  He then vaginally rapes her for one minute on top of the bed covers.  The suspect then makes an outgoing telephone call on the victim's residential cordless telephone.  Then the suspect flees away in a Dodge Caravan.

A sergeant arrives at the alleged victim's apartment to find a purse, wallet, bra, and nightshirt on top of the bed.  He inspects green nightshirt with white lace trim, a white bra, and a red floor runner rug for trace evidence and biological fluids.  None were detected.

NO latent fingerprints, of value, were developed. 

The telephone was checked for "calls- made" information.  Only incoming calls were on the readout.

My questions about this case:

1. According to  www.yourpurebredpuppy.com, "Sheltie" dogs are known for excessive barking and a lot of attention.  So where was the miniature Sheltie during the alleged rape of its owner?
2. It is 38 degrees outside and the alleged victim undresses into a nightshirt with lace trim and a bra with No references to any panties?
3. The suspect was allegedly high on drugs, but he did not leave any fingerprints.  The suspect's external DNA could have transferred to the alleged victim when handing over property. Why would the suspect collect all the jewelry from the alleged victim just to put it down to rape her for one minute?
4. If the alleged victim's statement is that the suspect made a telephone call on her residential phone line after raping her, but then it was determined that this statement was FALSE.  Then the "one minute" rape could be false as well.  Right?

MOVING ON TO my NEXT POINT

The alleged Victim's rape/sexual assault kit states No abrasions, No bruises.  Other documents relating to the medical exam results state the following:

• zero tears
• zero bruises
• zero lacerations
• zero bleeding
• zero severity
• No additional physical injury
• No physical trauma

Alleged victim was age 74 years old at the time of the alleged rape. Patient was described as calm and cooperative. No obvious trauma. No injury to her dog was reported either.

Then on January 31, 2007, Staff Writer Sandy Hodson of the Augusta Chronicle mentions

"Michael C. Blocker, 34, faces charges of burglary, rape and kidnapping - charges that could send him back to prison for the rest of his life if convicted."  "The case is assigned to Superior Court Judge James G. Blanchard."

Then on or around January 15, 2008, Michael C. Blocker is given a LIFE SENTENCE for this rape incident described above where the GBI did NOT even report an "internal vaginal" DNA MATCH .

#ExonerateMichael  This life sentence needs to be vacated from Michael C. Blocker's prison time.  I am not an attorney, but I clearly see this alleged rape case sounds absolutely very far fetched for a life sentence.  His defense attorneys should be ashamed.  The Augusta, GA legal system really needs to be investigated. This case is ridiculous.  The alleged rape victim is now deceased.  I sympathize about the burglary.  Prison time should be served for the burglary but not for the rape. #ExonerateMichael

The Ego Tripping Mentality

The Ego Tripping Mentality

by Benita Blocker

All your past girlfriends were dimes,

So you say that I should be happy that you gave me some time.

Can a man be sentenced over a piece of ass?

Most men know that it's hard to prove rape, take notes, you're in class.

So she wins the child support payment increase, now he's mad.

Using rape to show his power, how sad.

Sometimes familiar territory gives false permission,

Forcing another into submission.

Passed out people can not give consent.

Under aged is statutorily indecent.

Handicapped means no.

A protective order means there was a violation before.

No means no
ego tripping mentality.

Without a Clue, God Looks Out for You!

Without a Clue, God Looks Out for You!
by Benita Blocker

As I was new to this hotel lounge and loved live music,

I decided to join two other ladies already boozing.

Then after the band finished their set,

they noticed that we had not left yet.

A courteous invitation to their room was gladly accepted.

We followed the crew a few floors up 

and the private scene included some puffs.

So what are those funny looking cigarettes I decided to ask.

Upon hearing the answer, I decided to pass.

I never learned to smoke and knew my limits when

one of the guys asked to holler at me for a minute.

Upon seeing my driver's license and insulting my picture,

he then asked me to join him in an adjoining room for a mixture,

seeing 2am on my watch was a clue that my personal curfew was due.

I kindly said my cordial goodbyes and exited the scene without a clue

that God indeed has a special ability to look out for you.