Spring Break
Off Campus Sexual Assault
Man Arrested 18 Days After Attack
Molly Hooven
Issue date: 5/12/08 Section: News
Baltimore County Police have arrested Ian Alexander Murphy, 24, of the 1000-block of Cedarcroft Road, Sunday October 12 for the rape of a 21-year-old woman on October 6.
A crime alert update was sent out to Towson University students Monday informing them of the arrest, following a report sent October 10th which initially explained the attack.
The attack took place at 1 a.m. on Monday, October 6. The 21-year-old female was unloading groceries in a parking lot near Donnybrook apartments. She described that a black male approached her, implied he had a gun and forced her to walk to the 7600-block of Knollwood Road.
She was then forced to an area concealed by bushes and attacked. The victim called the police. She was transported to the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, treated and released.
The victim had little information about the suspect but concerned citizens reached out to investigators. A warrant was obtained and detectives gained information about Murphy's whereabouts. Murphy was arrested without incident.
According to the crime alert, sent out by Towson University Police, Murphy is charged with first-degree rape, first-degree sex offense, and kidnapping. Murphy was taken before a court commissioner where he was denied bail and taken to the Baltimore County Detention Center. A bail review is scheduled for October 14.
The crime has been a concern for many on campus but some students like senior Natalia Mazol, still feel safe.
"You never know what can happen," Mazol said. "Overall I do feel really safe on campus. Sometimes things happen and as long as I'm not part of it, it doesn't concern me."
Other students worry greatly about the chance of crime on or near campus. Senior Monica Kitlas says the incident got her thinking.
"During the day I definitely feel a lot safer," Kitlas said. "At night I don't feel safe. I feel like Towson has left us each for their own. I don't feel as safe as I did as a freshman three years ago."
The first mass e-mail notified students of the event, four days after it occurred. The second e-mail came three days later and informed students that the suspect had been caught. Kitlas thought the e-mails sent to students was a great way to communicate.
"The email was really officient," Kitlas said. "I feel safer knowing they caught the guy."
Senior Megan Kikola doesn't get off work until 11 p.m. and has to park far away from her residence, often making her feel uncomfortable and unsafe.
"Its scary, anything can happen," Kikola said. "It's so easy for someone to follow me."
Both Kikola and Kitlas have always planned on using Saferide if they felt threatened but with the tightened policies they have came up with their own plan.
"We have a buddy system," Kikola said. "No one deserves to get raped but you have to be aware of your surroundings."
A crime alert update was sent out to Towson University students Monday informing them of the arrest, following a report sent October 10th which initially explained the attack.
The attack took place at 1 a.m. on Monday, October 6. The 21-year-old female was unloading groceries in a parking lot near Donnybrook apartments. She described that a black male approached her, implied he had a gun and forced her to walk to the 7600-block of Knollwood Road.
She was then forced to an area concealed by bushes and attacked. The victim called the police. She was transported to the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, treated and released.
The victim had little information about the suspect but concerned citizens reached out to investigators. A warrant was obtained and detectives gained information about Murphy's whereabouts. Murphy was arrested without incident.
According to the crime alert, sent out by Towson University Police, Murphy is charged with first-degree rape, first-degree sex offense, and kidnapping. Murphy was taken before a court commissioner where he was denied bail and taken to the Baltimore County Detention Center. A bail review is scheduled for October 14.
The crime has been a concern for many on campus but some students like senior Natalia Mazol, still feel safe.
"You never know what can happen," Mazol said. "Overall I do feel really safe on campus. Sometimes things happen and as long as I'm not part of it, it doesn't concern me."
Other students worry greatly about the chance of crime on or near campus. Senior Monica Kitlas says the incident got her thinking.
"During the day I definitely feel a lot safer," Kitlas said. "At night I don't feel safe. I feel like Towson has left us each for their own. I don't feel as safe as I did as a freshman three years ago."
The first mass e-mail notified students of the event, four days after it occurred. The second e-mail came three days later and informed students that the suspect had been caught. Kitlas thought the e-mails sent to students was a great way to communicate.
"The email was really officient," Kitlas said. "I feel safer knowing they caught the guy."
Senior Megan Kikola doesn't get off work until 11 p.m. and has to park far away from her residence, often making her feel uncomfortable and unsafe.
"Its scary, anything can happen," Kikola said. "It's so easy for someone to follow me."
Both Kikola and Kitlas have always planned on using Saferide if they felt threatened but with the tightened policies they have came up with their own plan.
"We have a buddy system," Kikola said. "No one deserves to get raped but you have to be aware of your surroundings."
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 8
Jane Bailey
posted 3/05/09 @ 6:41 AM EST
Nice review! Thanks!
Eleanor Cook
posted 3/09/09 @ 5:01 AM EST
Good and interesting article, thanks!
Julia Davies
posted 3/12/09 @ 6:48 AM EST
Good information. Thanks for the post.
Wilma Todhunter
posted 3/14/09 @ 1:13 PM EST
Great article. I agree totally.
Ryner Netherton
posted 5/23/09 @ 2:03 AM EST
This sounds like a great program and a great way to improve education in our schools!
Karman Ohlson
posted 6/20/09 @ 7:05 AM EST
Nice review! Thanks!
Liss
posted 1/25/10 @ 1:24 PM EST
In my opinion, the punishment for the rape should always be death sentence.
seifai
posted 4/07/10 @ 6:59 AM EST
Thank you for writing the article, I am very pleased with how it came out.
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