http://springfield.news-leader.com/news/today/1028-Womandenie-202857.html
Published October 28, 2003
Woman denies false rape report
Aimee Satterfield pleads not guilty, stands by story she was beaten, raped on June 29.
By Jeff Arnold
News-Leader
Mount Vernon ? The 22-year-old woman charged with filing a false police report pleaded not guilty to the charges Monday morning in Lawrence County.
It was just outside the city limits of this county seat where Aimee Satterfield said she was beaten, raped and cut with a knife during the daylight hours of June 29. Law enforcement now says she was lying and seeks jail time.
Satterfield entered the not-guilty plea before Associate Court Judge Scott Sifferman during her arraignment. She is scheduled to reappear before Sifferman at 9 a.m. Nov. 24.
Springfield attorney Dee Wampler, who is representing Satterfield, anticipates going to trial. There have been no discussions, Wampler said, of a plea agreement.
"I can't see that happening," Wampler said.
Satterfield maintains that a man raped and beat her along Missouri 39 on June 29 while she was changing a flat tire on her car. Her report set off a regionwide manhunt for a suspect that Lawrence County Sheriff Doug Seneker says doesn't exist. Last month Lawrence County Prosecutor Robert George brought the charges against Satterfield.
Seneker estimates that his department spent about 2,000 hours investigating the claim.
Appearing in court Monday wearing a black skirt and a green flowered blouse, Satterfield said nothing during her short appearance before the judge. She declined to comment after Monday's court proceeding.
Since the incident, Satterfield has steadfastly maintained her version of events, saying that she would not lie. Lying is considered a willful act against God, according to her Jehovah's Witness beliefs, she has said.
Based on Satterfield's description of the attacker, deputies sought information about a white male, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 170-180 pounds with a mustache and strawberry-blond hair.
Satterfield said the man was a smoker who wore jeans, a red-and-white shirt and a dirty red-and-white cap, and had a silver earring in his left ear. The department circulated a black-and-white composite drawing of the suspect.
Sifferman on Monday overruled a motion that the misdemeanor charges against Satterfield be dropped. He sustained motions, though, that will ensure evidence related to the case is preserved.
Among that evidence: recordings of the 911 call made following the alleged incident, a rape evidence kit and Satterfield's medical records.
George did not oppose Wampler's motions. The prosecutor would not discuss details of Satterfield's case, saying he wished to respect her rights to a fair trial.
Wampler said his office has been contacted by "The John Walsh Show," which has the well-known victim advocate as its host. Walsh also is host of "America's Most Wanted."
According to Wampler, producers of the talk show are interested in profiling Satterfield for an upcoming broadcast.
The decision to appear on the show will rest with Satterfield, her attorney said.
"She doesn't know if she's going to do it or not," Wampler said. "Do I have a preference whether she appears on the program? That's going to be her call.
"Obviously, she's already told her story before."