Dominic Davi talks about last year's rape accusation

Posted by aubin on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 9:00 PM (EDT)

Dominic Davi, formerly of Love Equals Death has posted his account of last year's rape allegation. In March of 2007, Davi was arrested on charges stemming from an alleged rape of a Virginia woman that took place in June 2006. The woman claims she met Dominic at a club in Philadelphia, and after the two left together on foot she that was then raped behind a factory. The woman also states that she contacted Davi by email, and that he responded in January 2007, admitting in an email what had happened. She reported her findings to Fairfax, VA police who then contacted Philadelphia authorities to have the warrant issued for Davi's arrest.

Dominic strenuously denies the charges in the following excerpts:

First off, and I want to make this absolutely clear, I never raped anyone. Ever. And the charges of rape were dropped against me back in December. Even the state prosecutor involved in this case admitted that he didn't believe I ever raped anyone. The person that made these accusations against me changed her story about what happened that night every single time she told it. I want you guys to know the true facts.

So, despite the fact that I never, ever, forced this girl to make out with me, touch me, or anything, and despite the fact that it was extremely difficult for me to plead guilty to something I absolutely did not do, I chose to take the charge of misdemeanor indecent assault for the sake of avoiding yet more emotional and financial strains on my family, my loved ones and myself.

It's fair to say that the guys in Love Equals Death freaked out when all of this happened. I don't blame them for that - there isn't a guide book to follow in a situation like this. They made it clear to me that they needed to focus on the band and their career as best as they could, and that it would be best for me to focus on my defense. It hurt at the time, but I knew I did have to focus on defending myself.

You can find the entire statement here.

Davi parted ways with Love Equals Death in April of 2007.

Bands in this story

Love Equals Death

News (107 comments)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Holy_Balls (July 8, 2008)

http://a4.vox.com/6a00c2251d19928e1d00e398cfebfc0004-500pi

LORDSHREDDER (July 8, 2008)

Exactly. Maybe he didn't do it just like Kobe didn't do it.

jesuswasacommunist (July 8, 2008)

some friends he has

Toxic_Toast (July 8, 2008)

Does anyone else laugh when you see someone with a grape soda and their thumb or whatever covers the g?

scientistrock (July 8, 2008)

there's a company in Cambridge, MA called Draper; and one time, while I was walking past their building, the d was covered by a bush and I found it funny.

RightCliqificus (July 9, 2008)

The candy called "Nerds Rope" already looks like the "o" is an "a" because that company doesn't understand how cursive works.

a_cobb (July 8, 2008)

A customer where I work had a bumper sticker that said "Goat Ropers need love too." I had an overwhelming urge to add a tail to the "o"

The poster advertising the "Yoga Rope Wall" got taken down before I had a chance.

Tom1022 (July 8, 2008)

or, when you discover that canola oil is made from rape seed, and that the name was changed because no one would buy "Rape Seed" oil.

INDW (July 9, 2008)

on the same lines; you heard of MRI scans for tumors and the like? Stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Well, originally they were called Nuclear Magnetic Resonance - but apparently people refused to have an NMR (you might need to say it). actual fact.

SmellTheGlove (July 9, 2008)

I have a picture of my head covering the "C" in the Canal street subway stop in new york.

tee hee

JustLikeDelilah (July 8, 2008)

rapenews.org?

listofdemands (July 8, 2008)

damn. poor guy.
-nic

Dudley_Shale (July 8, 2008)

Love Equals Misdemeanor?

MainliningMurder (July 8, 2008)

That sucks and all, but why plead guilty to anything, and wouldn't you check on cali law first?

xote (July 8, 2008)

It takes money to prove innocense and when in a fucked up situation you do anything and everything to get the fuck out of it. Yeah he shoulda checked the cali law but would you be thinking straight during all that? come on dude...

facetofacereunion08 (July 8, 2008)

my buddy from college's uncle was the lawyer defending him so he told me this side of the story a while ago. he said that all the facts pointed to dominic not raping the girl. glad it finally got out there to all of you.

LookingForCorpses (July 8, 2008)

Think you've told us this before.

Scarysmurf (July 8, 2008)

*In more important news.
The Chicago Cubs Land Rich Harden.
And give up basically nothing for an ace.

C.C who-what?

softcoreseizure (July 8, 2008)

Hell. Yes. I didn't know there were other Cubs fans on this site. Or that listened to punk music.

Scarysmurf (July 8, 2008)

hah. You should probably get out more then.

I was just dissapointed Cedeno was not in the trade as well. I really dislike him with a passion. He is more worthless than Felix Pie.

northdakotaKILLS (July 8, 2008)

i'm a huge cubs fan, but i think giving up sean gallagher will prove costly in the end.

billy beane knows what he's doing. fuck he's smart.

and c'mon man, felix pie is pretty decent, i think he needs to spend more times in the minors, and can truly come back and be a quality producer for the team.

i hope harden is healthy, i fucking REALLY want to see the cubs win this year.

Dordon (July 9, 2008)

rays and cubs in the WS?

any takers?

The_Buse (July 9, 2008)

Born, raised, and still living in Chicago as a Cubs fan!

I think this thread just made my day - I tend to be a self-loathing Cubs fan, cause lets face it, Wrigley is usually filled with a bunch of douchebags.

Anyway, Gaudin is what excites me the most about this trade. We didn't give up much talent for a great starter in Harden, and if he gets hurt then we can use Gaudin as a great spot starter. OR when Marshall gives up 6 runs in the 2nd inning (which is bound to happen) and we need long relief pitching. It's a win-win!

Phantom_Maggot (July 8, 2008)

Have fun watching Harden sit on your DL. Apparently you need someone to fill the void left by Mark Prior and Kerry Wood before he ended up in relief.

RedScare (July 9, 2008)

Yeah, Harden could end up being Prior Jr. This is a pretty decent NOW trade for the Cubs, it's just worrisome that Beane wanted those guys, that motherfucker can always spot young talent. The Cubs have a major logjam in OF though, they shoulda thrown in Cedeno and Pie too. The real value came from that kid in A-ball and Gallagher, who had a nice first outing, but has since been getting touched. I'd also like to add that I hate the fuckin' A's.

Phantom_Maggot (July 9, 2008)

Yeah Beane has a real knack for spotting young talent, as well as knowing when to dump talent. Mulder, Zito, Hudson (him not so much), Swisher, all turned out to be wise moves. Harden is hurt CONSTANTLY...I will not be surprised at all if he winds up on the DL within the next 5 starts.

Also, I am not an A's fan, but I was more bummed to see Gaudin go, seeing as he was decent out of the pen and I don't think it was necessary to throw him in for this deal. As it is, I am stuck cheering for my Giants...we need some damn hitting.

Banal242 (July 8, 2008)

Yeah, well Mark Mulder is taking the mound for the Cards tomorrow so . . .

*silently sobs*

Screamboat (July 9, 2008)

GO CUBS!!!!!!!!

born and raised right here!

JayTee (July 9, 2008)

Go Sox!

Southsiiiiiiiiieeeide!

psychosis_cheer (July 8, 2008)

I think its Love Equals Indecent Assault...........aka rape...........periods rock..........woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.................. ............dot dot dot dot....................drugs.................Obama..............a nal..........McCain.................bush............Bush......... .........AIDS.............Kerry............what?

freesandwich (July 8, 2008)

puff puff pass, man

tombagel (July 8, 2008)

Sounds fishy to me.

I_Rock_Hard (July 9, 2008)

have your mom close her legs and nothing will be fishy anymore

dev (July 8, 2008)

no one's said it?
that's mest up

conebone69 (July 8, 2008)

He should've just stabbed her and claimed self defense

Worked for me

- Tony Lovato

billnye (July 8, 2008)

dude totally did it

HOISTDATRAG (July 9, 2008)

If I were to believe anyone in this situation, it'd be you, Mr. Bill Nye (the science guy).

scientistrock (July 8, 2008)

The justice system is either not stoked, or this dude is lying.

MisFit4Me (July 8, 2008)

Dom's a great guy, he definitely didn't rape anyone. I feel sorry this accusation was ever pushed onto him.

a_cobb (July 8, 2008)

Apparently what's his name from Modest Mouse got the same raw deal but it wasn't published as widely, he talked about it in the Onion. Sucky when accusations get reported so widely and lawyers tell you not to talk about it before the trial.

Friend of mine also got it, split some folks into factions. Ridiculous. Scandal! I hear rapists float so you can just dunk 'em in water and if they don't drown, kill 'em! OMG soooooo fuckin' punk!

Ok, I got drunk somewhere in there...

14theroad (July 8, 2008)

I understand why the guy took the charge. Jail sucks, especially when you didn't do anything.

s_my_d (July 8, 2008)

love =/= choice

a_cobb (July 8, 2008)

your stupid

upthemallcore (July 8, 2008)

you're stupid

ForgetThisPlace (July 8, 2008)

Did anyone see that Hunter S. Thompson movie?
I was thinking of going to philly to see it, but I don't know.

xote (July 8, 2008)

My friend saw it tonight in DC. Said it was awesome.

Tudor (July 8, 2008)

Which one?

ForgetThisPlace (July 9, 2008)

The documentary that Johnny Depp narrates.

someone-yeah (July 8, 2008)

Ah yes the pete townshend maneuver

I-type-poorly (July 8, 2008)

Is there an audio "Locked in The Closet" rendition of this account?

Diver (July 9, 2008)

I laughed so hard it caused a hiccup...I'm a horrible person.

conebone69 (July 8, 2008)

I'm with ya

Some people still can't except that I'm 100% not guilty

- O.J. Simpson

thebigtakeover (July 8, 2008)

so why did he cop to it? still confused here.

14theroad (July 8, 2008)

Because it's better to take probation and get it expunged from your record down the road then sitting in jail waiting for a trial.

thebigtakeover (July 8, 2008)

ah
I get it now. thank you. I really need to watch more law and order

dlangl4 (July 9, 2008)

haha

third time i typed that today. but it was worth it each time.

LinoleumMagazine (July 8, 2008)

I heard from a good friend of his (who was in a former band with him and still sees him often) that it was all bullshit and he didn't rape her. I think I believed him. But I guess what sucks is no one, except Dominic and that girl will ever know 100% percent for sure.

LameExcuse (July 8, 2008)

Quite unfortunate. These scenarios are regrettably not uncommon. Our judicial system is dangerously flawed, albeit it is (on a majority level) still effective. Nonetheless, if i may quote one of our founding fathers -Benjamin Franklin-, "it is better for 10 guilty men to go free, then to imprison one innocent man."

Mr_Streetcore (July 9, 2008)

wow thats a pretty good quote

Dante3000 (rich) (July 8, 2008)

Sucks that he had to go through this, but at least his band stood by him...oh wait.
I guess it makes sense, you can't really tour with a bassist in jail awaiting trial on rape, nor do you want to be "the band with the rapist" (regardless of his innocence/guilt).
Hopefully he'll get something else going soon.
-Dante

spoon_of_grimbo (July 9, 2008)

tsunami bomb reunion!!!

SydBarrett420 (July 9, 2008)

Rikki Rocket is stoked

dlangl4 (July 9, 2008)

Has anyone else noticed like a 5x increase in trolls lately? Even normal people are converting.

sXenester (July 9, 2008)

It's like the same wording and everything.

I'll take The Rapist for $5,000 Trebek.

Wentz_Equals_Death (July 9, 2008)

shut up, fag

iandisurvive (July 9, 2008)

rapist bassist

jumpkid_638 (July 9, 2008)

The trolls really came out on this thread.
Like moths to a flame.
Or douchebags to a Dave Matthews concert.

SenorPotpourri (July 9, 2008)

The Senor feels sorry for this man.

- Senor Potpourri

Tudor (July 9, 2008)

Dominic Davi defence in court didn't sit well, as he stated that it wasn't "rape" it was surpise sex.

thatsyouth (July 9, 2008)

I still don't see why he would plead guilty if he didn't do it

theTruman (July 9, 2008)

"my girlfriend and I were forced to move to Philadelphia"

Ouch!

sXenester (July 9, 2008)

I've got my old man shoes and my surprise sex hard-on?

f'reals, good for him, though. shitty situation.

Splendidtune (July 9, 2008)

the person he (didn't) rape. myspace.com/hannahshaw

SmyD (July 9, 2008)

A picture alone should be enough proof that no one would rape this girl.

facetofacereunion08 (July 9, 2008)

shes nasty

martinNZ09 (July 9, 2008)

Aside from the charge being bullshit the worst thing here is how quick his band mates turned on him and distanced themselves. When I found that out I lost any respect I had for LED.

I hope he gets his life back on track

martinNZ09 (July 9, 2008)

Also the chick sounds like a whore, making out with him, then spending the night with his band mate and then dating him...

Love equals death doesn't believe in bro's before hoes
This check was pissed she didnt get double ended

miniblindbandit (July 9, 2008)

No Equals Yes

but seriously sucks for that guy. accusations like that don't go away for years.

crackpotdemagogue (July 9, 2008)

i feel sorry for this guy... the chick that accused him sounds like a real bunny boiler!

rakmike (July 9, 2008)

Even the state prosecutor involved in this case admitted that he didn't believe I ever raped anyone

-he could have dropped the charges
-also, how about a no contest plea? No admission of guilt there

Dante3000 (rich) (July 9, 2008)

He mentions that because he admitted to kissing her that it proves there was some contact and they pushed for a misdemeanor. As for the "No contest" I don't think they allow plea bargains for that.
That's what I think at least.
-Dante

xmystax (July 9, 2008)

why not form a band with the rapist guy from liferuiner

batattack8 (July 9, 2008)

Even if he starts another band, he's always going to be "the rapist guy."

Also, notice how he says "on the night in question" they did not have sex, but doesn't say that they never had sex. Not that it means anything regarding his innocence or guilt, but I get the impression that he chose those words carefully and did at some point have sex with her.

Soundwave (July 9, 2008)

If you follow the story and what he has said all along, he has said many times he never had sex with her at all. I feel bad for him.

Even if you were right, how would that make accusing someone of rape when you slept with another member of the same band that night ok? Trust me, you get raped you don't sleep with another person afterwards. You also don't post on their myspace saying how much you enjoyed hanging out. You just don't.

I don't think this has to ruin his life. The very point of this letter is him saying he isn't "the rapist guy". I don't think its very fair to make him out to be one.

snorkie (July 9, 2008)

how does everyone know about the whole "sleeping with another band member" thing? is that true for sure?

girls who cry rape when it didn't happen trivialize the stories of those it actually happened to.

batattack8 (July 9, 2008)

I wouldn't say that I'm actively following the story, but I've read everything about it that's been posted on here and I read the entirety of his statement. From that, I don't recall him saying that they never had sex. Maybe I missed it, or maybe I read it and forgot about it.

And if I was right, I wasn't saying that it would be alright for him to be accused of rape. I was stating what I inferred from his particular choice of words.

I'm not trying to make him out to be a rapist. From what I've read, I don't believe that he raped anyone. I'm saying that the people that know who he is and read about this story will probably always remember him for it.

A better choice of words would have been "the guy who was accused of rape."

MyStereoHasMono (July 9, 2008)

I've got an idea: A Rape supergroup featuring:
Isaac Brock
Gary Glitter
Rikki Rockett
Dominic Davi

Tour sponsored by RAINN

Band name?

Cloudkicker (July 9, 2008)

The Great Rape....when was Rikki Rockett accused of (and/or committed) rape?

Archangel (July 9, 2008)

Same thing happened to Isaac Brock a few years ago. Any time the girl runs around changing her story over and over again, and prosecutors eventually say "Hey fuck this, nothing happened!" it's safe to say someone wasn't loved enoguh as a little girl and desperately needs attention as an adult, apparently at the expense of a musician's name.

That run-on sentence was awesome.

Oh, and fuck the band for running like that. Focusing on their "career" over their bandmates -- they're not successful, nor do they deserve to be.

1234go (July 9, 2008)

What happened in that case was a 3rd party friend wanted to take this story from a "weird/uncomfortable thing that happened" to a "string this guy up for a rape that didn't occur". I was in Seattle when it happened (knew the girl actually) and from where I sat I saw this person basically try to destroy Isaacs life including getting shows on the tour he was about to leave on cancelled all across the country by telling the bookers that they had a rapist on their hands even though he hadn't been convicted of anything and stood unaccused by the girl involved. The girl involved never wanted it to go as far as it did because although it was an awkward situation it wasn't a rape. I honestly believe this 3rd party person who I wont name had the best intentions but it wasn't her place to take it to the police. Overall I still think she is an amazing person who did great things in Seattle and harbor no ill will towards her at all. I just think that in that situation she was wrong.

1234go (July 9, 2008)

It's really sad when stuff like this happens. Rape is an unbelievably awful offense that nees to be taken seriously and it's a serious charge that even if you're exhonerated of it still follows you...sometimes for the rest of your life. It's a shame when people are out there crying wolf just to strike back at someone for something. It's bad for the accused and it's bad for all actual rape victims who end up getting skeptical responses to their real situations because of all these false claims flying about. I hope this dude can get it all back together. I was wondering what ever happened to him.

Also I realize this is the internet and a lot of you children use it as a playground but how the fuck is it acceptable to make light of rape? Shit's not funny or edgey or whatever the fuck you're trying to achieve. I gaurantee there are more than a few actual victims of rape checking this story out here today and it's a little fucked to have your BS comments litering the comments. I'm all for saying whatever you want but try practicing a little tact. Maybe this is the right place or time.

Cloudkicker (July 9, 2008)

In the late 90's I had heard rumors of Jorge from The Casualties being accused of rape. I actually had heard this a lot. I'm not trying to stir controversy, but curious if anyone else had ever heard this?

endnote (July 9, 2008)

I / We agree with 1234go completely.

I just created this PN account in response to the user danpib08, who was posting stupid BS above. Coincidentally, he has my band (one win choice) in his top bands, and a PN user assumed wrongly that we/this band was commenting on this story. We are in the process of emailing PN admin because we just received a threatening email (that we would be stabbed/beat up if our shitty band ever came out to CA) from this user in regards to this poster (danpib08).

Clearly this is a sensitive issue, and it speaks volumes to the language that many people use casually every day without thinking. Often the language that is taken as status quo can easily be defined as hatespeech/ignorant and for good reasons, because this thread is a perfect example. Words are tossed around that are offensive in regards to race, ethnicity, sex, gender, etc. all the time and it is disheartening to see how many people find it funny and/or chime in with their own comments.

Have some compassion and sympathy; topics of sensitive nature don't need to be peppered with rude/off color comments. You're not funny, you're just being hurtful.

-Jack / OWC

Endlessnameless (July 10, 2008)

Fair enough, I see that bullshit post PIBDAN08 posted was taken down. It's unfortunate that some shithead fan boy can post insensitive comments about a messed up issue, and it's even more unfortunate that he can sling that bullshit around without having to take any responsibility for it. I'm sure Dan Yemin if he has read any of this shit is real stoked right now on his number one punk fan representing PIB so well.

Deneen (July 12, 2008)

I always wondered what happened because it never did sit well with me. I always thought he was innocent. I also thought that the way LED handled it at the time was a little cold. It would have been nice if they stood by him a little more,especially since one of them had dated the girl? I am understanding that part correctly yes? If so,then I've lost even more respect for them then I already had now knowing this. Sad, because I really liked them and this just kind of colors everything.