`Godfather of Soul' hit with suit in '88 rape

The Chicago Tribune ^ | January 6, 2005 | Matt O'Connor

[TexasAg1996]

To be honest, I truly feel for her if she was raped.

But, OJ Simpson was found liable for killing two people. That lawsuit had merit. If this woman was suing James Brown for the trauma caused by the rape itself, I have no problem with that.

What I have a problem with is someone abusing the justice system by claiming that an overactive thyroid was caused by a rape. Good luck proving some kind of cause-and-effect there.

I also have a problem with someone suing for $106 million because of an overactive thyroid. An overactive thyroid is incredibly easy to treat without any lasting health problems. There aren't any "emotional" problems associated with it, either.

[somerville]

A reporter from Court TV and I reviewed her case carefully before deciding not to work on the story. We believe she was raped, and as I said, the district attorney's office found her story to be credible, but she waited too long to come forward. I imagine she's trying to get justice in any way she can. There's way more to her story here which will come out.

I have sympathy for this woman because I have seen first hand the violence Brown has done to other women.

[TexasAg1996]

The problem is that you are focusing on the rape. If he's guilty of rape, charge him or sue him for the rape.

This woman does nothing for herself or her cause by making the ridiculous claim that her thyroid disease was caused by a rape.

If anything, I'm actually more upset by the attorneys who would help her sue using this claim. More than likely, they are setting her up for a HUGE disappointment when the judge throws the case out for a lack of evidence. Believe me when I say that thyroid disease like this has many causes (most of them unknown) and I guarantee that rape is not one of the causes.

[somerville]

Yes- they are grasping at straws with the thyroid thing. I don't understand why she isn't suing for rape itself. Maybe this is the only way they can circumvent the statute of limitations by claiming the rape caused the thyroid problem ?

[TexasAg1996]

It really is a shame she never sued for the actual rape. If you said you talked to her and believed her, I have no reason to doubt you.

My guess is that the statute of limitations passed on the rape, but this thyroid problem was recently discovered. They can try to make the claim that this problem is new and the statute of limitations has not expired. That itself is probably weak.

I really, truly hope that her attorneys told her this was a long shot at best. I'd hate to think that they got her hopes up.

[t_skoz]

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[somerville]

Well, she's a very persistent person. If this doesn't work, and I'm sure it won't, she will probably keep trying. What it might do is encourage other victims, if there are any, to come forward.

[Chi-townChief]

He'll claim he's just a "prisoner of love."

[JellyJam]

Jeez ... isn't there a thing called "statute of limitations" anymore?