EDITOR'S NOTE: A lawsuit accusing former Sussex County Councilman Vance Phillips of rape and abuse of Katelynn Dunlap, starting when she was 18, was dismissed Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016.
In her lawsuit, filed in 2013, Dunlap alleged brutal assaults – incidents of being bound, being locked in a building and being blindfolded and whipped. She alleged Phillips threatened her career in politics. Phillips disputed the accusations, and the Attorney General's Office never filed charges against Phillips after investigating.
My purpose in writing this blog is not to argue the guilt or innocence of (Former) Sussex County Councilman -Vance Phillips nor the veracity of the claims of multiple brutal sexual assaults of Ms. Dunlap. There are two people who do know the truth - Vance Phillips and Katelynn Dunlap. Unfortunately, the system has made sure that no one else ever will know the truth regarding these horrendous claims.
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But, one thing that I can speak to with the utmost certainty is this:
Had the accused been a regular Joe Delawarean without the powerful political connections and influence of a seasoned politician, a warrant would have been issued. He would have been arrested, placed in handcuffs, and a hefty bond issued. And, had Joe Delawarean lacked the necessary finances, he would have sat in jail while the prosecution moved forward with its case.
Typically, and as a matter of de facto policy - the Attorney General's office in cases like this, will exercise an "err on the side of caution" / "believe the victim" mantra.
This method of conducting a painstaking investigation prior to issuing a warrant is virtually non- existent in the real world of Delaware "Justice" that the vast majority of Delawareans labor under.
Ms. Dunlap, originally sought justice in 2012 - when she contacted the Delaware State Police -
Jason Miller, a spokesman for the Department of Justice, said police and prosecutors both conducted "multiple interviews" with Dunlap last year in their investigation. "The Department of Justice determined after a careful review of the evidence gathered through the investigation that a prosecution could not be pursued at this time," Miller said Friday.
This is reminiscent of a pattern that has played out over the years and when a powerful politician stands accused of a sex crime. It is also reminiscent of the way the Delaware Attorney General's Office protected an admitted serial pedophile Judge from prosecution.
The victim, Greg Kelly, approached the Delaware Attorney General's Office, and here is an excerpt from local media coverage:
WILMINGTON -- "Standing in front of the building where William C. Bradley Jr. had been a judge until last week, attorneys Thursday handed out a one-page, two-sentence statement from the former jurist admitting he molested an 11-year-old boy more than 30 years ago.
For Gregory Kelly, now 44, it was the vindication he has been seeking for decades.
More than 20 years ago he told his family about the incident and about 12 years ago unsuccessfully tried to get the Delaware Attorney General's Office to investigate, he said."
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2010/01_02/2010_01_22_Sullivan_DelawareCrime.htm
The AG refused to hear the cries of Greg Kelly ten years earlier
, and instead sought to protect an admitted pedophile Judge--one with some very strong political connections.
The pattern of protecting the powerful, politically connected, and influential is systemic in Delaware.
Also, I contrast their actions to that of the (Former) Senatorial Candidate Eric Bodenweiser. With far less evidence the Delaware AG office went after him with a rabid vengeance.
Ms. Dunlap stated:
"At the time, I did not think anyone would believe me because he was so powerful,"
Yes and no Ms. Dunlap - It's not about them believing you. It's about power and its toxic effect on our the Delaware "Justice " System.
I am not pro or anti either of the aforementioned subjects. I am pro truth, pro justice regardless of the individual or the politics involved.
I am completely against the system (De DOJ) that perverts justice with impunity and blatantly perpetuates unequal protection under the law.





