Posts Tagged ‘Aggravated Burglary’

UPDATE: DNA Evidence Allegedly Matched Marino Sample

Thanks to a follow-up article from the Marietta Times, more information is known regarding the 2009 Parson’s Hall sexual assault.

Brandon Marino, 23, who was charged with Burglary and Rape on Wednesday, had submitted a DNA sample to police as part of the investigation.  However, results had been delayed due to a backlog at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.  Marino was not the only person asked to submit a sample, and was not the only person to submit a sample.

The Times reported that this is allegedly what happened on the morning of February 28th, according to an affidavit

According to the affidavit, the woman told investigators she awoke in the early morning hours of Feb. 28, 2009, and found an unknown suspect in bed with her. She began yelling and the suspect quickly exited her Parsons Hall dorm room on foot.

The woman told police her room door was unlocked but she had not given the man permission to enter.

~ Marietta Time report

Marino had bond set at $285,000 for the Washington County charges.  According to Marietta Municipal Court’s online database, he was charged with a First Degree Felony for Rape and a Second Degree Felony for Burglary.  He was indicted in an unrelated case for Aggravated Burglary and Burglary charges in Hamilton County in March.

Marino, who attended Marietta College from 2006 to 2008, had a disorderly conduct charge in April of 2009.  No result listed on the Marietta Municipal Court database.  It does list a warrant for his arrest for failing to appear.

Brandon Marino Charged In '09 Sexual Assault Case

College Police Service Chief David Valkinburg announced today to the Marietta Times that an arrest has been made relating to last year’s sexual assault in Parsons Hall.

Brandon M. Marino, 23, was served with a warrant for his arrest on Wednesday in Hamilton County Jail, where he had been arrested on unrelated charges.  He was indicted on March 3rd for aggravated burglary and burglary, which is listed as a 2nd degree felony.  If found guilty of those charges, he could be sentenced to anywhere between 2 to 8 years in jail and up to $15,000 in fines.  Marino was held on $25,000 bond in that case, and was waiting for an April 2nd court date.

He now faces additional charges in Washington County, where he has been charged with rape and burglary.

The alleged sexual assault happened early February 28th, 2009 in the victim’s room at Parsons Hall.  Timely notification was sent out, and you can check out our previous coverage here.  The suspect had been spotted in Russell Hall earlier that day (night of Feb. 27th).  The incident led to security improvements at Parsons Hall, including recently installed security screens on first floor windows.

The article states that Marino was not a student of the college, but reading the 2007 Mariettana yearbook, was listed as being a member of the Class of 2010.  So the alleged attacker had attended school here.  The Times article also stated that Marino had been living in Marietta at the time of the incident.

The college had alerted students to the possibility of media coverage of the arrest in the following timely notification e-mail.

We wanted to inform you that there are likely to be media reports this afternoon or tomorrow that involves an update to an alleged incident on campus that was reported about a year ago. We wanted to share with you the College’s official statement with regard to these recent developments.

“Marietta College is aware of an arrest of a suspect in connection with the case of a sexual assault that took place on campus during the spring of 2009. Since then, much diligent and tireless investigative work has taken place and we are grateful for the ongoing energy and collaboration of our own Marietta College Police Department, Marietta City Police, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation & Identification. It is our most sincere hope that their efforts may ultimately provide closure for the survivor, the survivor’s family, and our campus community.”

Check out the Marietta Times Story for the full story.

Aggravated Burglary Triggers Campus Notification

If there is one thing that the College does well, its timely notification.  The e-mail/robo-calls went out at 10 AM, 4 hours after the incident happened.

In compliance with the Timely Notice provisions of the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998, Marietta College officials want to inform you that Marietta College police are investigating an aggravated burglary that took place at approximately 6 a.m., Friday, May 8.

An unknown person entered a resident’s room at Parsons Hall. After the suspect gained entry he attempted to restrain the resident. The resident fought back and was able to separate from the attacker, who fled on foot. Campus Police say nothing at this time indicates the attacker had any connection to the Marietta College Campus.

The male, described as tall, 6-foot-0 to 6-foot-2, slender build was wearing a dark or black hoodie type sweatshirt and dark jeans. The suspect was wearing dark eyeliner and had multiple piercings on his face.

The scene has been processed by an evidence technician from the Marietta City Police Department. The case is being investigated by the Marietta College Police and the Marietta City Police.

If anyone has any details please contact Marietta College Police at (740) 376-4611.

Once again, questions are raised about the security of Parson’s Hall.  The first floor is completely unprotected from outsiders.  Without knowing what floor it was, it would be my guess that it was the first floor.  I doubt somebody would let some guy follow them through the door to gain access to the second/third/fourth floors.

And a note…Comparatively, our crime rate is much much lower than most colleges/universities.  It’s just that these incidents raise questions of the security of students.