Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 16, 1994 TAG: 9404180154
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Laurence Hammack STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Last April 15, a 19-year-old woman told police she was partially stripped and fondled at a backstage "meet and greet" session after the band's concert at the Roanoke Civic Center.
Assault-and-battery warrants were issued against two of the band's personal assistants, but the prosecution fizzled when the victim never met with authorities to discuss the case.
Prosecutors said they needed to meet with the woman to review the strength of the case before deciding whether to embark on a lengthy and expensive extradition process to have the men brought back for trial.
Roanoke Commonwealth's Attorney Donald Caldwell said his office has not pursued the case since the woman failed to show up for several meetings.
The woman, who had traveled from Appomattox to see the concert, said she was selected for a backstage pass after band officials used a video camera to pan the audience in search of attractive women .
Once backstage, she told authorities, one of the men pulled down her blouse and fondled her, while the other yanked up the bottom of her outfit.
She could not be reached for comment Friday.
A magistrate issued misdemeanor warrants against the two stagehands one week after the concert, but authorities have not identified them because they were never arrested on the charges.
by CNB