Jon Krakauer is certain innocent men land in jail on false rape accusations.
"For every one of those guys, though, there's at least 100 women who were raped, and their rapist walked away laughing," said the best-selling author and investigative journalist.
Krakauer made the statement Wednesday night during a discussion about his most recent book, "Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town."
Fact and Fiction organized the community forum, which packed Missoula's DoubleTree ballroom with a capacity crowd of 600.
The audience gave the author a standing ovation even before he took questions from moderator Larry Abramson, dean of the University of Montana School of Journalism.
The crowd periodically cheered and clapped in response to Krakauer's statements, and booed a man who monopolized the microphone at the end of the hour with a diatribe but no question.
At the forum, Krakauer defended his journalistic choices in the book about acquaintance rape and detailing cases in Missoula from 2010 to 2012. He discussed his view of prosecuting sexual assault, and he talked about editorial choices he made to limit the focus of the book.
Krakauer said he made a conscious decision to not mention "rape culture" and omit any discussion of drinking, which is a problem. He did so in order to keep the attention on rape victims.
"I wanted to tell the story of acquaintance rape from the victim's point of view. That seemed to be what was lacking," Krakauer said.
***
One problem when prosecutors decide a case is too difficult to take on is the victim gets left out of the picture and her credibility is undermined, Krakauer said. He agreed the justice system should not convict a man falsely accused of rape.
However, Krakauer said the number of false rape accusations are minimal compared to the number of victims whose cases get ignored.
"She's being falsely accused of being a liar, and that's at least as damaging," Krakauer said.
The author used the case against former UM Grizzlies quarterback Jordan Johnson as an example. He said he understands the reason the Missoula District Court jury found Johnson not guilty of sexual intercourse without consent.
One reason was the lawyers who represented Johnson, David Paoli and Kirsten Pabst, now the Missoula County attorney, mounted a "really aggressive" and "not entirely honest" defense, Krakauer said. A juror told him she believed Johnson raped the woman, but she and other jurors also had doubts.
"The burden of proof for criminal cases is really high," Krakauer said.
But just because a man is found not guilty of rape doesn't mean he's innocent, he said.
"I want people to look at the evidence and understand that just because a guy was found not guilty of rape doesn't mean the victim lied," said Krakauer.
At the same time, he said, he believes the cases of acquaintance rape in his book demonstrated probable cause, even in incidents where the prosecutor didn't file charges.
***
In his questions, Abramson pressed Krakauer on the reasons he didn't interview some main players identified in the book.
In some cases, Krakauer said, officials stonewalled him. In other cases, people threatened to sue him, and some didn't have a perspective he wanted to hear.
For instance, the author is seeking in a lawsuit information about how and why Johnson's expulsion from UM was reversed. A district court judge ordered the university to give Krakauer the documents he requested, but the university is hiding behind a privacy law and appealed to the Montana Supreme Court, he said.
So Krakauer didn't see the point in having a conversation with a UM spokesperson, and he paraphrased the absurdity that would result: "Let us tell you all the great things we've done to improve the thing we're not going to tell you about."
At the same time, though, Krakauer said he gives UM credit in the book for improvements it has made.
***
In the interview, Abramson said many victims have published books about rape before: "Is it ironic or strange that you come along, a guy, and you write a book, and suddenly it seems to be getting an inordinate amount of attention. Does that make you feel uncomfortable?"
Krakauer said he's talked to feminists who are angry about that fact, but he had no control over the attention, and he's glad it's in the limelight, at least for now. He also said the lack of attention on other books is unfortunate.
"It's a very sad statement," Krakauer said.
In his talk, Krakauer also praised women who are speaking out, using their real names and refusing to bear shame. He also lauded former Missoulian reporter Gwen Florio, who first reported the rapes included in his book; Florio now teaches journalism at UM.
After the interview, a man who introduced himself as Thomas Dove took the mic and began giving his background. Krakauer requested the man ask his question.
The man persisted in a lengthy presentation about documents the author had acquired, and the audience booed him. Eventually, Krakauer took away the man's microphone, and the audience was invited to leave.
(34) comments
The Krakauer presentation in Missoula
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-pRepRWnAE
If Missoula had any integrity, it would sue him. Any taxpayer should have legal standing. Well?
...yawn.... this book will be in the 2 dollar bargain bin soon.
I'm gonna wait another 2 weeks and get it for 99 cents with free postage from www.abebooks.com.
This is just rough all the way around; I can't think of another way to describe it. This was not an "open" forum of any kind; it was simply a rally for those who are still not satisfied with the amount of pain the glorified propaganda has caused to this community. It would have been a so much more interesting and satisfying story if the Griz star quarterback got drunk and raped an innocent girl. However, all of the facts and evidence (those pesky things again) point in an entirely different direction; something that was cleared up in our US court of law over a year ago. Then, to top it off, the crowd (and the Missoulian followed) heckled and bood an attorney who asked a very brief and very relevant question concerning the integrity of the book. Then he is later labeled as a "heckler" himself!? Unbelievable. There is one question much of Missoula wants to know from Krakauer; Are your views of rape in Missoula and everywhere else completely biased toward anybody accused of this heinous crime? This gentlemen asked this question (because Krakauer actually admits to being very biased in this topic in an interview with Salon) and was torn apart? Krakauer rips the mic out of his hands for even asking? Interesting response to a forum you showed up to to "answer Missoula's concerns with what he had written." Well Jon, Missoula would just like to hear you say it, "I am biased toward this topic" and we can all move on. This is an amplified Florio piece, nothing more; and it meets all the Gwen criteria. The accusations are great and very biased, and the facts are few and cherry-picked. Please spare us another "open" forum Jon, that was a ridiculous showing for you and most of the Missoula community - Thank you attorney Dodd for asking the question that most of Missoula wanted to hear; the public response you heard was a concentrated minority.
This whole "open forum" was a sham from the beginning. It's ending makes it more obvious along with the Missoulian's continued one sided reporting of it. Ironic that Florio is also pictured.
Montananurse, Krakauer is being "attacked" because he has written a biased and unfair book, using many important omissions and the cherry-picking of facts to make his points. He admitted so-called "confirmation bias" to the lawyer. Confirmation bias was one of the main things wrong with the recent Rolling Stones article. Krakauer has unfairly slammed multiple people, including Kirsten Pabst. He has said some outrageous things in his pre-release and post-release press. He appears to have obtained documents and recordings that could be a violation of Montana law. See the interview with the lawyer today. Krakauer said, multiple times, that he was coming to Missoula to "face his critics". Instead he got mainly a crowd of supporters who were cheering and giving him standing ovations. When a critic, and seemingly a prepared and articulate one, started asking good questions, and a good discourse seemed to be starting, some of the crowd heckled the lawyer, and Krakauer come over and grabbed the mic from the lawyer. Krakauer deserves significant criticism, in my view. Criticizing or attacking Krakauer has absolutely nothing to do with victims. As for victims, if you followed the Johnson trial, the victim had an unbelievable amount of support at every step. The Donaldson victim seems to have gotten significant support, after she came forward.
The Missoulians at that forum should be ashamed of themselves for their display of intolerance and, not only acceptance, but encouragement, of bullying behavior. So, would Krakauer have marched down there and seized the microphone from a woman with a similar point of view? Now that would have been interesting! Would the crowd have cheered him on?
This was an incredibly inaccurate story, even by Missoulian standards; particularly since it is paired with a video that puts the reporter's inaccuracy on full display. Haven't quite figured out the "multimedia thing yet, have we Missoulian?
Krakauer is an opportunist and parasite who profits from others' tragedies. Always has been, always will be. That some Missoulians have adopted him as an anti-rape crusader demonstrates the depth of naivety that exists in segments of the community.
Amen.
Very brief and well stated.
In reply to 74Griz:
You hope that Krakauer and Doubleday will be successfully sued, but what would be the basis for such a suit? That statements in the public record were printed in a book?
Once again... I am convinced that absolutely nothing you read in the news is even remotely accurate. The entire "community forum" was basically a stop on a book tour. Nothing controversial occurred and it was a total joke. Krakauer's ego then exploded when the Krakauer show book-tour-stop was rained on by Thomas Dodd, who appeared to actually have something interesting to say.
I believe his name was Thomas Dodd, not Thomas Dove. Seems like you should have found out what his name was if you're going to criticize him and post pictures of him, right? You claim he "went on a lengthy presentation." Uh... no. He was trying to make a coherent point, which often takes more than 5 seconds. He asked a question. Krakauer then lost his chill and acted like a lunatic. I think he was afraid to address this man's points. Why else get so combative and defensive? Why not just listen and disagree if he disagrees? It was bizarre. Also, - Krakauer laid hands on the guy. That was way, way over the line.
What have we learned from all this?
1) We know that JJ was found innocent, and that this girl had made claims before that were found to be false when placed under the most minimal scrutiny.
2) We know Missoula has some dysfunctional institutions - from the cops - to the U - to this incompetent newspaper.
3) We know that Krakauer was able to exploit these glaring dysfunctions in a town that otherwise has absolutely no "rape culture" and everyone knows it.
4) We now see that Krakauer himself does not want to face even superficial scrutiny, and that his ego is completely out of control.
Krakauer: "I had no idea it would cause this upset" - when he named his book "Missoula." Haha. How ridiculous! Obviously he knew, he's not that stupid, - so he's lying. How do these people sit there nodding and not notice how absurd these things he's saying are? I was also disturbed by his repeated remarks on "the burden of proof" being very high in criminal cases. That is patently ridiculous. Laughable. The burden of proof is incredibly low! The USA has a 95% conviction rate, - it's on par with Stalinist Russia. Is he suggesting we eliminate the few protections left for defendants? Why would we do that, cause Krakauer is so convinced that this one dude committed a rape? these statistics people always rattle off relating to rape or unreported rape seem questionable. Where do all these things come from? Someone there said some stat, like "1 in 5 women are raped in college." There is absolutely no way this is true. He rattled off a couple and people seem to just immediately believe it. I have no idea why they would believe it.
I'm saddened that this issue has become split between those hysterically talking about "rape culture" (Krakauer included) and those blindly defending the team/Uni. I think they're both wrong. The U is a dysfunctional joke and there is no rape culture. Krakauer exploited this controversy largely because local reporters weren't doing their jobs. They still aren't. This article is terrible. Krakauer does not understand the town. He is clearly very biased. He had made some good points in his book (mainly about the idiocy and dysfunction in the government/U), but the rest was rape-sensationalism. I was very disappointed by his little book-tour "forum" and it was interesting to see the ugly side of his ego.
I would like to know what that Dodd guy was going to say. Maybe I'll email him.
To do a twist on Sir Wm Blackstone's famous quote, Krakauer seems to believe its okay to incarcerate one innocent person if it means ten guilty people don't go free either. Glad he's no judge.
10? Try 100+
The percentage of false accusations for rape is no different than any other crimes and yet rape is held to much different standards. Why is that?
Because the people in power are comfortable with the status quo.
Despicable.
The fix was in from the beginning. As I have said before, 72 hours out and he sets conditions on questions to be asked had to have his(is lawyers) approval. This 'event' should have been canceled. Abramson should be ashamed to have been part of this sham and should have refused to be a part of this bookselling media event. His participation can only further degrade the reputation of the UM Journalism Department(hiring Florio highlighted the depths of this degradation). Not taking true questions at the end, then TAKING the microphone way, and arrogantly walking away shows his real character. This man is a joke, and I hope he, and Doubleday, gets sued and impoverished. This list is long on potential lawsuits from the events of the past three and a half years. Revenge is a dish best served cold.
I respectfully agree with your general statement of Krakauer being arrogant.
However, this issue is SO much larger than him. It's really too bad that he is somehow in the spotlight on this issue and not someone else.
I hope you to put aside your dislike of Krakauer and do your own investigation beyond his perspective.
Amen, not that campus, or any rape isn't serious. As I understand it, Mr. Dove/Dobb was within his rights and respectful, unlike the Missoulian's portrayal. Our courts have a solution for confirmation bias: cross-examination. That's what Mr. Dove/Dobbs was doing, but of course this was not a court of law, so the "defendant" walked out.
It's more important to know the corrections that Missoula police, the Sheriff's office, and UM have been doing to correct the problem. I haven't read the book, but if that's it's intent then all to the good. But, as I see it, Krakauer's appearance in Missoula was unnecessary, since a major dissent as to his methods was silenced.
There is problem. I am not sure what the total solution is but I do know that what is being presented is further dividing some women from men. Feminist groups have done some very good things but tend to be narrow and one sided at times in their views and again make some woman anti male which is not a good solution. Jon stated that the problem is nationwide but I am not sure that is the message I got from this book. He has also stated that he is no longer a fan of football because players are involved (not all, not even the majority) but football and sports are not the problem but are extremely visual and in the public eye. Alcohol and drugs are not always involved and in and of themselves are not the problem but extreme drinking is never right, the need to have something to detach our senses from the world around us is not good. Respect and defining what is right and wrong is not always present or clearly defined. Sex should be a shared mutual experience based on a relationship and it has gone to something else now.
It is quite clear from the video of the man's questions that he was calm and reasonable and had done some research on Krakauer's book and other interviews he has given. Too bad he wan't allowed to flesh out his points and ask questions with regard to his research. Pretty obvious that no critical or probing questions were going to be allowed at this so called public forum. Looks like softballs were all that were permissible. Too bad because Mr. Krakauer should face some pointed questions about his motivations and biases that were the basis for his authorship.
My god this kraukauer is a clown. It's boggles my mind there is an educated person in the world that put one ounce of stock into what her writes or says...He literally made up stories and printed his own truths and made it into a cute little book...And people buy this!!! lol.....Looks like he thinks he's a bit of a tough guy...If that guy ever pointed his finger like that at me he'd be writing a book about waking up in the hospital in Missoula...What a punk!!
Krakauer obviously is biased against men who are accused of rape, and claims that only one percent of rapists serve time. That's simply ridiculous - his book is just a hit piece.
According to Peter Neufield and Barry Scheck, co-founders of the Innocence Project, "Every year since 1989, in about 25 percent of the sexual assault cases referred to the FBI where results could be obtained, the primary suspect has been excluded by forensic DNA testing. The authors say that this percentage has remained constant for seven years, and the National Institute of Justice' survey of private laboratories found a very similar 26 percent exclusion rate.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/2006/05/02/false-rape-accusations-may-be-more-common-than-thought/
The innocence project, right, because there's absolutely no motivating bias there...you have to be kidding me.
Look, I normally don't defend Roger, and his ENTIRE perspective on rape is from the viewpoint that false accusations are the whole story (that's all he ever puts in his comments on this issue) but DNA tests demonstrating convicted individuals were falsely imprisoned is an important and irrefutable fact.
I was raped while in college. It never occurred to me to report the rape as I was not emotionally prepared to face the challenges of getting someone to believe me. For me, the above commenters prove the challenge.........it is all about attacking Krakauer and nothing about the women who were harmed. And no, there was no drugs or alcohol involved. I am still defensive about my rape since I felt I had to add the disclaimer about drugs and alcohol.
I'm sorry you were raped, you should be angry at Krakaurer for using sympathy for people like you to capitalize one revenue from his book that innacurately taints Missoula as a rape-infested town. I grew up in Missoula, and I know for a fact that its a great place to live. Rape unfortunately occurs everywhere, Missoula isn't the only place where it happens, and Missoula should not be SINGLED out like Krakauer has done.
That is EXACTLY the point, griznationbaby, Thank you. Regardless of what JK says or his fan club that attended this recent rally...........pardon me, I mean community forum, when he put the name, MISSOULA, on the cover, he might as well not written another word. He could have titled it "Rape in a College Town" and referred many, many times to incidents that might have happened in Missoula but given the instances of rape in many big cities or communities coast to coast what a very SMALL number occur or don't occur in Missoula. It was slanderous to put Missoula on the cover. Purposeful yet slanderous. As far as the cheering section....hey, that's Missoula also.....buncha sheep, nobody thinks anything through. They are owned and operated by celebrity.
This doesn't seem to be a very balanced or accurate article. The guy at the end didn't monopolize anything or present a diatribe, as said in the article. He described his background for 7 seconds, spent 3 seconds saying a few words about Krakauer, got a rude order from Krakauer to start asking questions, and then asked multiple good questions, soliciting some answers from Krakauer. Some of the crowd started booing and moaning. Then Krakauer walked over and grabbed the mic from the guy. So much for Krakauer coming to Missoula to answer real questions or critics. So much for some segments of Missoula wanting to hear him any anything other than answers to cream puff questions. This guy should have been asking more of the questions in the forum, and the dean less. Seemed like a very articulate and smart guy. I see that some in the national press are now calling this guy a heckler. In point of fact, some in the crowd heckled him.
Seven seconds and three seconds. Must be a super speed-talker! I guess he might be a retired attorney from out of state. "Dove" can't be found in a search of Montana bar members. Did he deserved to be shouted down? Or to have the mike pulled from his hands? Krakauer could have just not answered his questions and walked away. I have no opinion of the merits of his book. I have not read it. It looks like the book is selling well. I may get around to it. Right now I'm reading some excellent things on the Civil War.
Dove?....that's because, among other things, Keila got the name wrong.
It's Dobbs, I believe, although I'm having trouble finding it again. The Missoulian seems to be hiding something.
Dodds is another possibility.
Yogi-- There is one Dodd who is a member of the Montana bar, but he is much younger than the man in the photo and practices out of Bozeman. There is no one on the bar web site named Dobb or Dobbs.
Reed has his name as Thomas Dodd. I do believe that is what I read in another article last night. Both articles have been changed, and info omitted.
I would like to know what he had to say.
A much more accurate account than the reporter gave Mresident! The Missoulian could use you.
I'd like to investigate Krakauer and get all the juicy stuff on him, and write a book about him, see how he feels when a finger is pointed at him. He's not bias? B.S. Thankfully Mr. Krakauer is not employed in the legal justice system as a judge, or I'd bet ever rape accusation would be deemed guilty at the door without fair trial...
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