Man convicted of rape with no evidence

By: Joshua L. Floyd

Tyrone, GA --- Zachary Higgins was convicted of rape last month and convicted to 35 years in prison for allegedly raping a girl in September of 2005. There was no DNA evidence linking Higgins to the crime, and no eye witnesses.

The only people that testified were three of the defendant’s former high school best friends. All three, including Jill Turner, claim that the victim never seemed distressed and actually boasted about her and Higgins’ relationship.

Turner said, “I heard her brag multiple times about having sex with Higgins, she never once seemed upset or bothered at all.”

Turner went on to say how the defendant said that Higgins was very attractive and how she had a crush on him. The defendant even testified that she had a crush on him earlier in 2005.

Sam Oxford is the defendant’s ex-boyfriend and dated her shortly after her and Zach stopped seeing each other. Oxford maintained Turner’s testimony about the lack of emotion expressed by the victim.

“She told me multiple times that the sex was consensual. I dated her for eight months or so after her and Zach split. She was never sad and she never came to me and said anything about rape…I can’t believe she is doing this to Zach,” said Oxford.

As for why she waited so long to report the rape, the victim testified that she “was ashamed” and she couldn’t believe it had happened.

Higgins’ conviction was a surprise to everyone in the courtroom, especially Higgins. When the conviction was read aloud, Higgins turned towards the defendant and said “You know I didn’t do this, you know I didn’t do this.”

Higgins and his family have filed a formal appeal with the Fayette County Superior Court. District Attorney of Fayette County Scott Ballard refused to comment on the story.

“I am confident in the legal system,” said Ballard.

Higgins hired a new lawyer for the appeals case hopeful that this time his previous record will not be allowed in as evidence. When Higgins was 14 years old he was adjudicated delinquent for exposing himself to a child. His disposition included wiping his record clean, but his history was allowed as evidence in this case anyways.

Other than this previous incident, Higgins has no criminal record and is regarded by everyone he knows as a great guy.

Dozens of Higgins’ friends have come forward as character witnesses in his defense, including Derek Scarborough.

“Zach would never do this, I have known him his whole life, he has never had trouble getting women and he would have no reason to rape a girl…it is ridiculous that it has gotten this far,” said Scarborough.

Two Facebook groups have been spawned in order to create awareness about this injustice. One of the groups has attracted over 1000 members. To find this group visit http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=75985814761&ref=ts

The other group is dedicated to forming monthly protests out in front of the Fayette County Courthouse. This group can be found at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=62025916305&ref=nf

To read more about this story visit The Fayette Citizen at thecitizen.com

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