Opinion ID: 1980799
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Complainant R.W.

Text: Another complaining witness, R.W., stated that on the evening of February 9, 2000, she was working as a prostitute on the corner of 8th and Kennedy Streets, N.W. She observed a burgundy van with wood paneling and a sliding door driven by appellant. Appellant eventually approached her, and she agreed to have vaginal intercourse with appellant for $10. When she entered the van, appellant asked if they could have anal sex, but R.W. steadfastly refused. During the course of their exchange, appellant asked R.W. to turn around so her back was facing him. He then went to the front of the van to get a jar of vaseline. R.W. asked appellant what he was doing. As she made her inquiry, appellant rammed his hand and part of his arm repeatedly into R.W.'s anus and vagina. R.W. tried to get away, but appellant pinned her down and punched her in the face numerous times. She eventually escaped from the van. R.W. did not initially report the incident to the police, thinking they would not be receptive to a complaint from a prostitute. However, her pain became so severe that she went to Shady Grove Hospital a day and a half after the incident occurred, where she was treated for her injuries. While at the hospital, R.W. met with a police detective and gave an initial description of her assailant, describing him as tall, clean-shaven, and wearing a scarf over his head. This description was used to form a composite drawing. When shown the composite drawing, however, R.W. concluded that the rendering did not resemble her assailant. Subsequently, R.W. attended a lineup at police headquarters, where she identified appellant as her assailant with some hesitation. At trial she stated she was certain that appellant was her assailant. R.W. also viewed a photograph of appellant's van and concluded that it was the vehicle in which she had been attacked. R.W. also identified the areas where she had been picked up and attacked.