https://www.facebook.com/freecraigsummers/info
Craig Summers, an exemplary human being, was found guilty of a sex crime. We believe he is innocent and are pledged to fight for his freedom.
Dear Friend-
Many of you know Craig Summers as an accomplished firefighter, paramedic and captain who served with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department for 30 years.
Others know him from his long and dedicated service as a leader in the Fairfax County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association, IAFF Local 2068. Still another group knows Craig from his second career as a patrol officer with the Fairfax County Police Department.
Craig’s life is exemplary. He is a motivated public servant, devoted father, husband and man of great faith.
Unbelievably, he is also a convicted sex offender, found guilty in a jury trial under circumstances that can only be described as bizarre. He is currently serving a five year prison sentence that is being appealed to the Virginia Court of Appeals and to the Supreme Court if necessary.
His accuser is also a law enforcement officer and she brought her complaint on May 3, 2012, 32 months after she claims the incident occurred.
But the specific details are even more extraordinary.
And, before you read on, know that Craig passed a polygraph test and turned down a plea offer that included no jail time because he is innocent.
She could not target a specific date for the alleged assault saying it occurred sometime between September 1, 2009, and October 31, 2009.
There was absolutely no physical evidence to support her claim.
She indicated that while she learned “defensive tactics” and “weapons retention” during her training at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy that she did not struggle or attempt to use of any of these techniques.
She did not call 911, nor seek the help of any of her neighbors, obtain medical treatment, nor was she examined by a sexual assault nurse examiner even though she admitted as a law enforcement officer she was aware of the importance of the collection of evidence.
After the alleged incident, she continued to engage in a romantic, intimate and consensual sexual relationship with Craig for at least six months. She also had a key to Craig’s house and continued using it until the relationship ended.
His accuser was involved in three separate police department internal affairs bureau (IAB) investigations as well as other law enforcement contacts concerning her relationship with Craig. Despite all of these opportunities she never spoke of the alleged event as a sexual assault. Indeed, the first IAB investigation took place in December 2009 and included intimate details of their relationship yet no sexual assault claim was made. In the third investigation, when the alleged incident was discussed, an experienced investigator conducting the interview did not feel that she was describing an assault.
During the trial, evidence was given supporting the claim that she had motivation to fabricate a claim of sexual assault. Specifically, that she was angry over the fact that Craig dated other women and was not truthful about it. She went so far as to initiate contact with these other women. Also discussed in the context of fabrication was her ability to recall specific and detailed facts about some aspects of the relationship though very little about the alleged assault.
Would a reasonable person expect an experienced law enforcement officer of more than twenty (20) years, to collect physical evidence to support a criminal charge? She offered none.
Would a reasonable person expect a victim who was a law enforcement officer to bring charges within a reasonable period of time? She waited over two and one-half years, and only after her alleged assailant had married someone else.
Would a reasonable person continue to pursue an intimate, consensual sexual relationship with someone who had allegedly committed such a violent act? She did.
Craig’s attorneys have submitted their appeal this month. It costs nearly $15,000. If the case goes to the Virginia Supreme Court, a similar cost will be incurred. Karen Summers, Craig’s wife, is selling their house to meet these and other expenses.
This travesty of justice could happen to anyone and we ask that you take a moment to help out a brother by contributing something, anything, for his defense and expenses. Some of Craig’s firefighting and union brothers have already contributed over $5,000 because they believe in his innocence