Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Justice took 22 years, 12 steps

William Beebe's recovery program led him to admit to a 1984 sex crime.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published November 15, 2006

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - A man who sexually assaulted a fellow student at a fraternity party in 1984, then apologized to her two decades later as part of the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous program, pleaded guilty Tuesday and could go to prison.

William Beebe calmly entered a plea to aggravated sexual battery as his victim, Liz Seccuro, bowed her head and wiped away tears.

"Twenty-two years ago I harmed another person, and I have tried to set that right," the real estate agent and former University of Virginia student said outside court.

Under the plea bargain, prosecutors asked that Beebe get two years in prison when he is sentenced in March.

Prosecutor Claude Worrell said authorities agreed to the deal in part because the investigation revealed that more than one person may have sexually assaulted Seccuro at the Phi Kappa Psi party. Beebe agreed to cooperate with the investigation into exactly what happened to Seccuro that night.

"We believe that the matter doesn't end here," Worrell said in court.

Beebe, 41, of Las Vegas, had been awaiting trial later this month and could have gotten life in prison if convicted.

The ninth step in AA's 12-step recovery program calls on alcoholics to make amends to those they have harmed.

Last year, Beebe wrote Seccuro a letter of apology, and an exchange of e-mails ensued, in which he wrote: "I want to make clear that I'm not intentionally minimizing the fact of having raped you. I did."

In December, Seccuro called Charlottesville police to report what had happened. Beebe was arrested in Las Vegas.

"This began as an effort to make amends," Beebe said outside court. "In pleading guilty today to a lesser charge, I acknowledge formally what I tried to acknowledge in my letter."

Seccuro said she went public with her name and story, hoping to lead other sexual assault survivors to seek help.

[Last modified November 15, 2006, 02:02:09]