Bully Yanked The Freshman's Ponytail — Didn’t Know She Was Trained in Krav Maga
Chapter 21
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"My name is Claire Whitfield," she said. "I am a freshman on an academic scholarship. I came to this school to study and to build something for myself. I did not come here to have a problem with anyone." She paused. "On Friday of last week, I was sitting in the main library working on a research paper when Derek Moss approached me from behind and yanked my ponytail hard enough to pull me out of my chair and onto the floor. He did this in front of approximately 30 people. No one intervened. He then took my hair tie, which was a personal item of some significance to me, and threw it in the trash. When I retrieved it and told him it was the last chance he had to walk away, he laughed. Then he left."She kept her voice level."On Wednesday evening, I was walking back to my dormitory when Derek Moss and Tyler Greer confronted me in the campus parking structure. Tyler Greer grabbed me from behind with both hands. I used a defensive technique to free myself. I pushed Derek Moss away from me, and I left." She looked at the panel. "I did not initiate either of those confrontations. I have never initiated any confrontation with Derek Moss or anyone associated with him. Everything I did on Wednesday evening was in direct response to a physical grab that I did not consent to and did not provoke."She sat back.Dr. Ellison looked at Derek's advisor. The advisor smiled pleasantly and said, "The panel has only Ms. Whitfield's account of these events. The library's camera footage for the relevant time period is unfortunately unavailable. And what Ms. Whitfield describes as defensive is what witnesses describe as an attack.""Which witnesses?" Dr. Voss said. Her voice was precise and unhurried."Mr. Greer and Mr. Holland," the advisor said."The two individuals who were present with Mr. Moss at the time," Dr. Voss said."Yes.""Are there independent witnesses?"A brief pause. "We are not aware of any at this time," the advisor said."I see," Dr. Voss said.Marsh spoke. "The panel may wish to hear from several witnesses who have come forward independently," he said, keeping his tone neutral and procedural. "With the panel's permission."Dr. Ellison looked at his colleagues—a brief exchange of looks. "Proceed," he said.Sophie went first. She stood up from her chair in the third row, walked to the witness seat at the side of the panel table, sat down, and folded her hands in her lap. She looked like someone who was doing something that frightened her and was doing it anyway.She said, "I was at the library last Friday afternoon. I was studying at a table two rows behind Claire. I saw Derek Moss and two other people approach her from behind. I saw him grab her ponytail and pull. I saw her fall off the chair. I saw him take her hair tie and throw it away." She paused. "I didn't do anything at the time. I want the panel to know that I regret that. But I'm telling you now what I saw. And what I saw was not a misunderstanding."Derek's advisor leaned forward. "Ms. Nguyen...""Sophie," she said."Ms. Nguyen, were you not also present in the parking structure on Wednesday evening?""No," Sophie said, "I was not.""But you are Ms. Whitfield's roommate?""Yes.""And would you characterize yourselves as close?"