Another roadblock has been placed in Randall Raar’s way to have conviction overturned.
The timing of this roadblock may suggest that it is retaliation for publicity I have generated in his case.
Raar was convicted of child molestation in 2006, but this was nearly entirely on the strength of testimony from his victim who was twenty-one when she testified but only six when the crime allegedly occurred.
Here is more from the appeal.
The 59-year-old defendant was convicted of sexually assaulting his then five-year-old neighbor in the summer of 1989 or 1990. In April 2006, the police received information that caused them to investigate defendant and canvass his former neighborhoods. At that time, they had contact with the victim, who alleged that defendant had sexually assaulted her when she was four or five years old by digitally penetrating her vagina. At trial, the 21-year-old victim testified that defendant and his roommate, Robert Higgins, lived next door to her family’s home. Defendant and Higgins encouraged the neighborhood children to come to their home and use their above-ground pool. The victim indicated that she and her neighbor, AB, were among the children who spent time at defendant’s house. The victim explained that defendant and Higgins, both dressed in swimsuits, would be in the pool and catch the children as they came down an attached slide. The victim stated that defendant would “catch [them] between [their] legs and put his hands—or try to put his hands up [them].”
Therapist notes from the time of the crime suggest the victim pointed the finger at someone else.
“She {the victim} finally agreed to talk about one thing ‘Jimmy ‘ did to her. ‘He licked me.’” The notes stated. These notes were made in 1990, shortly after the crime occurred.
Randall previously told me that these notes were not introduced at his trial; he said he did not know they existed until appeals were filed.
I have been publicizing Raar’s case, particularly since the summer.
Randall’s case starts approximately fifteen minutes in.
Also, check out my appearance on Slam the Gavel, and my interview with Randall is here.
In recent emails through JPay, Randall tells me that the Michigan prison system may be retaliating against him.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Michael Volpe Investigates to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.