Opinion ID: 815418
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Night of May 17, 2002

Text: Haskell and Russell dated for more than two years in high school, but separated during Russell’s first semester at Grand Valley State University. On May 13, 2002, Haskell, then 21 years old, visited Russell for the first time since their relationship had ended. Each had recently returned home for summer vacation, and they had agreed to spend time together as friends. Russell, then 19, testified that Haskell was sullen and depressed because of problems at college and that he was suicidal. During this visit, Haskell sought reconciliation, despite Russell’s understanding that their relationship was platonic. When Haskell refused to leave after several hours together, Russell succumbed to the pressure of the situation and engaged in oral sex with him. Despite the awkwardness of the May 13 encounter, Haskell and Russell agreed to watch a movie at Russell’s house on Thursday, May 17. Haskell behaved normally when he arrived, but after they went downstairs to watch a movie, Haskell became upset when Russell sat on a different couch. Haskell’s seemingly innocent questions about why Russell refused to sit next to him became more serious, and he began making threats and demanding to know why they could not get back together. Russell believed that his behavior was an attempt to bring her closer to him. 2 No. 10-1432 Haskell v. Berghuis, Warden Russell asked Haskell to leave, but he refused. Eventually, he agreed to leave if Russell changed into her pajamas, which included a t-shirt, athletic shorts, panties, and bra. Russell understood his request as a desire to tuck her into bed before leaving. After Russell had finished changing, Haskell sat next to her on the bed. He began speaking about his unhappiness, eventually concluding that he had made a final decision. When Russell asked about that decision, Haskell punched her in the left eye with enough force to propel her into a nearby nightstand. Russell testified that Haskell continued to strike her. While pinning Russell to the ground, Haskell said that he had asked her to change into her pajamas to make it easier for him to rape her before he committed suicide. Haskell removed Russell’s clothing and molested her vagina and breasts, digitally penetrating her vagina on at least two separate occasions. He vaginally raped her. After intercourse, Haskell instructed Russell to lie on the bed. He grabbed a pair of scissors from Russell’s nightstand, and Russell thought he intended to kill her. Haskell’s demeanor changed abruptly. He lowered the scissors, covered Russell with a blanket, and repeatedly apologized for his actions. His apologies appeared to indicate confusion about what he had done. Relieved, Russell told him to leave her house and seek help. Before leaving, Haskell requested time before Russell told her parents. 3 No. 10-1432 Haskell v. Berghuis, Warden Russell’s initial police report included only Haskell’s physical assault.1 When asked by attending physicians at the local hospital where she was treated, she denied having experienced any sexual assault or advances. After the family had returned from the hospital, Russell’s mother discovered blood in Russell’s underwear and confronted her about a possible sexual encounter. Russell admitted that Haskell had raped her, and her parents took her back to the hospital, where doctors conducted a “rape kit” and a physical exam. The examinations showed no signs of sexual trauma to the vagina or anus, and there was no evidence of forceful sexual contact. Russell filled out a new police report at the hospital that detailed the sexual assault. While Russell was being treated for her injuries, Haskell returned to his parent’s house. He appeared frantic, confused, and allegedly heard voices in his head. He did not remember the identity of the person he had just assaulted but eventually identified Russell as the victim. Haskell’s parents had him admitted to a psychiatric hospital at the University of Michigan, where he stayed for approximately ten days. Haskell was under the care of Dr. Kenneth Pitts, whose tentative diagnosis of Haskell was NOS, or “not otherwise specified.” 1 Russell’s original statement to the police reads: “Craig and I went out for two years and eight months. We broke up in October, 2001. I didn’t see him until May of 2002. At this time we were arguing ‘cause he wanted to date again and I did not. He had been having some school and family problems and needed to talk them out with me. . . . [W]hen I couldn’t help him and didn’t want him back he hit me four or five times in the head. Then he muffled my screams then he felt bad and I told him to leave and he left out the front door.” 4 No. 10-1432 Haskell v. Berghuis, Warden