Augusta: Family of teen convicted of rape, assault pleas for leniency
September 5, 2008 by afp
Filed under *AFP.com News/Events
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
The family of a Greenville teen convicted in June of the abduction and rape of his 15-year-old former girlfriend has launched an Internet petition to plea for leniency in his upcoming sentencing.
“Our hope is that anyone with sons will feel that something like this could very easily happen to their children and want to help,” said Amy Drumheller, a friend of the family of Andrew Fender, 17, who was found guilty of abduction, rape and assault and battery for the Dec. 15 incident that lawyers for both the prosecution and defense at the trial characterized as a case of young love gone awry.
Augusta County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wood has the option of sentencing Fender to either an adult or juvenile-detention facility. Drumheller said the family hopes that Wood will realize that a long sentence in an adult facility “will ruin Andrew’s chances of a future, and that it would be more productive to show leniency so that when he gets out he will be able to move past this and make a good life for himself.”
According to testimony at the trial, Fender and the 15-year-old began a consensual sexual encounter that turned violent when his former girlfriend rebuffed Fender’s suggestion that they run away and get married, and after Fender got enraged upon finding the number of another male on her cell phone. The victim testified at the trial that Fender chased her down the steet, knocked her to the ground and kicked her in the ribs and head before raping her.
Defense witnesses included one of the victim’s school classmates who said she overheard the victim say that the rape had never taken place and another teen who identified herself as a close friend of the victim who said the victim had sent her a series of text messages before the trial indicating that the incident “didn’t seem” like rape at the time, but that “that’s what the cops said.”
The Internet petition in the Fender case can be accessed online at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/pleasehelpandrew/
parent of a disabled child on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 1:31 pm
How dare the statement “this could be anyones son” as it appears in this article, could be made as a comparison. What this young man did was cruel and barbaric. The 15 year old victim will carry the memory and scars for life of this uncivilized act. The worst part is that it occurred on Methodist and Heart Haven property. Has anyone from the executive end looked into the staff at this home? The fact that staff members that would bring this troubled 17 year old into that quiet neighborhood to spent the night with a young girl in a car while these people slept is unbelievable. There are people in that home with disablilities, mentally and physically. Do the parents know what is going on while their disabled children are sleeping? Has anyone thought that this could have been their daughter who was raped and brutalized like this? As a parent of a disabled child it gives me cause to doubt about ever putting her in a home like this! I have served with Judge Woods and I deem him a wise man and if he is repulsed by this, I have no doubt he will render a fair sentence to this troubled young man. Don’t insult the parents of young men in this community by saying it could happen to them. I would believe that the son’s of my friends and family would use better judgement and never have this kind of brutally in their hearts and minds!
former Heart Haven employee on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 2:11 pm
I worked in this group home for a short period and let me say, that the things that went on there were reprehensible. I’m not surprised at all that something like this happened there. It is awful this girl was beaten and raped, practically under the noses of the residents of the home. Then after the rape he entered the home to find his mother. What might have happened if his rage was not under control and a resident awoke? It angers me that something has not been done. The supervisor of the home is this boy’s aunt. Has there been any consequences for her lack of management? This is a sad day for the family of the victim, the group home and the area churches that are so supportive of Heart Havens.
Angela Branch on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 6:18 pm
First off to the former Heart Haven employee, you are probably one of the many who although claim reprehensible conditions have tried to get their jobs back but did not succeed. Secondly although you may have read about the victim being at Heart Havens what you do not know is that she was not supposed to be there. She lives about a mile away and they had planned on meeting there. As soon as it was made known that she was there attempts were made to have them leave the property. At no time that night was he in a rage. So dont believe everything you read. For her to be so traumatized I dont see it has normal for an alleged rape/beaten victim to contact the alleged rapist just prior to trial saying that she was sorry she lied and wanting him to meet her yet again for sex. And those are the facts you dont hear about as our Commmonwealth seen to it that those certain facts didnt become known at trial. Therefore, as previously stated this could happen to your child, especially when you are dealing with a young girl who after he broke off their relationship tried to ruin his life and the Commonwealth helped to accomplish that. Everything I have said I can prove. Oh and by the way I am the alleged rapists mother.
Right a wrong on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 11:11 pm
This is in response to Disabled and Former employee. If you have issues with Heart Haven then get your own web site. This is not about you, or them. This is about a 17year old who in my opinion has been falsely accused of rape. If you are concerned about that then be aware that the facts that have been given is the girls side only.Her story is so full of contradictions that it totaly amazes me that this jury actually convicted him, So much for without resonable doubt. As far as people with sons , maybe you don’t have any . I have 5 grandsons and I pray that this will never happen to them. I know that he is guilty of hitting her as he confessed to that,and for that he should be punished. However after reading all the testimonies and knowing the family that this girl comes from and the fact that this is the 3rd so called raped that this girl has claimed to have went through I have my doubts.I feel that in cases like this Lie Detector Test should be mandatory, I sincerely hope that there are people out there that feel the same as I do. This boy is a minor not an adult, he is barely older than she is and while most of us do teach our children right from wrong and pray that they listen, they don’t always do. I am sure he realizes by now that it was very wrong to have hit her and he must pay the price for that, but do you people really need for a boy to spend years in a prison for a crime that he really may not have committed The only proof that a rape even happen is her word and a test at the hospital that proved they had sex. Well Hello she testified they had sex together an hour before the raped happened. So come on people lets sign the petition and let the boy get on with his life, He already has to deal with being a registered sex offender for the rest of his life . So I am asking you If you feel as I do that a rape never happened . Then PLEASE go to the wb site and sign the petition. Also before any of you make the comment I am NOT kin to the boy!!!! I just would really like to see that our court system really does protect us when we are innocent.
luvmydane on Tue, 9th Sep 2008 8:52 pm
I am not here to talk about the guilty verdict, afterall he has been convicted. I would like to say we all raise our children to the best of our ability and none of our children are perfect. I have worked with Angela in the past and she as a single mother worked long hours to support herself and 3 sons. She has been through alot due to the loss of her mother and a brother with very serious and life threatening cardiac problems. I know this has taken a toll on Angela and her sons. I am not making excuses but sheddlng some light as to their struggles. Andrew has had troubles in the past however, his mother rallied then by getting him counselling and so forth. I saw this young man several times driving his mother to work and going off to his job and returning later at the end of the shift to pick her up. This young man in the eyes of the law is to to be punished but I don’t think it should be as an adult or to the maximum extent of the law.
heart broken on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 9:28 am
this is in response to the add about andrew fender and heart havens it happened down the street not in heart havens and not all of what was in the papers is true ,and I am a heart haven employee of 2 years and yes all proper procedures was done and the so called former employee who statement read yea the aunt is the supervisor if you only knew what she did for the home to be [protected she called the law on her nephew herself and was susponed to test affiy against him how can you even comment when you were not there
methodist church members on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 9:37 am
hello i am here to talk about god and to say he only knows what happened besides the 2 teenagers ,i am a church member of calvery and we has a cogregation help with heart havens and the supervisor has been employed there for many years ,and she is outstanding with her residents and former employees have there own opinions and should not comment if you are not in the picture cause you may be disgruntel do to not having your job ,and why should you try to hurt the indviduals that are being served ,the supervisor is very committed to her job and she has suffered enough about the incident that happened and it is not her fault that it happened.or anyoneelses god will take care of everything
Confused ??????? on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 1:51 pm
I am sorry but I am confused. Did anyone actually read the above article ? I dont see Heart Haven or its supervisor or Angela mentioned at all. From what I can see its about a young man and thats all. He was found guilty and his family are seeking leniency for him. This is not the time for anyone to bad mouth the supervisor this is the time to help someone in trouble. It seems to me that some people have their own complaints about Heart Haven and they should really seperate them from this petition. Has anyone actually gone to the petition page ? There is an email link where you can send questions about the case. I think people should put their personal feelings on Heart Haven and its staff aside and focus on the issue at hand. I also noticed the the harsh statements about Heart Haven are made under screen names what happened did you get fired from there?
juvinille on Thu, 18th Sep 2008 2:02 pm
hello I am was a juvinille who was charged with rape of my girl friend and i was innocent but it did not matter to anyone cause they belived i was guilty because i had a bad reputation well just because you do things in life that are wrong in 1 persons eyes does not mean you are guilty of rape i wish this boy good luck and belive me you live and learn and life is hard no matter what so i got 15 years but i am still living i have a job and some friends and my dog so son good luck and best wishs to you and your faimly
Blake on Fri, 10th Oct 2008 1:20 pm
My friend was convicted of unlawful sexual contact with a minor (16 yr old boy). My friend is straight and there was no evidence – crime reported 4 months later. He claimed 2 people were asleep in a 2 bedroom apartment and the tv was turned off. He claims the roommate gave him drugs and alcohol. The case was turned over to the grand jury prior to the interview of any witness. The police department did not search the apartment. The boy is a problem child, a cutter, and was spurned by my friends little sister. We are trying to get the verdict thrown out. He is a youth minister, seminary student working on his master degree, and this has runined his life. This was a he said case.
Blake on Fri, 10th Oct 2008 1:24 pm
Lie Detector Test should be mandatory for all rape cases without a witness or medical evidence
Were you there? on Fri, 24th Oct 2008 12:40 pm
All of yall are saying you think this boy is innocent. But none of you were in the car with that girl and boy! And you say a lie detector test should be mandatory without witness or medical evidence? Well, this case had plenty ok! Yeah they may have had consensual sex at first but when she got out that car and he forced her back in after he kicked her, do you think she wanted to sleep with him? I don’t. And consensual sex does NOT leave major damage to her vagina. She had tears to her labia wall and vagina walls!!! And Mrs. Branch you drove the 2 to your trailor. I think your son even admitted to that at first. Why do you want him to get easy time, that night for that girl sure wasn’t easy. And do not put that youg girl down or blame her for this! She did not ask for it, you’re son just does not like consequences..trust me i know! Doesn’t he always get off easy? Never has he took full responsibility for his crimes nor have you! You drove that little girl to your home and all you gave her was inflammation pills and an ice pack! Youre an adult. Act like it. AMC hospital wasnt that far! Was you worried you would get caught red handed? Well ma’am that girl would pass a lie detector test. Would you? I don’t think so… And you sit there and write about the girl having contact before the case. Cause your son contacted her and said he was sorry and told her how muh he loved her! He wanted her to lie for him! im proud she didnt cause she has lied for him enough in the past to save him…And right a wrong, i don’t exactly think youre doubts matter cause you are just someone who dont look at the evidence and facts..if he had so much against her why didnt he testify.? And the phsyco sex evaluation showed alot of his actions are a result of how he was raised! So how dare you even talk crap on that girls family, youre just mad that they got justice! maybe you should pray to god not only for andrew but for yourselves! yal make me disgusted.
Were you there? on Fri, 24th Oct 2008 1:38 pm
The only time any of you see justice is when it’s for yourselves!!!
And why did you pick her up right at the end of the street in the dark blue car you used to have and take her and andrew to heart heavens if she wasn’t supposed to be there Mrs. Angela Branch?
And she was in your car, did you have to clean her urine out the floor board?? cause she peed on herself cause she was so scared when your son pushed her in the floor board and started hitting her as hard as he could.
You saw her when his aunt got to heart havens around 3a.m., she was all swallon and beat up. Do you recall saying in sorrow and fear “Oh my god andrew why did you do this to her!?” And you also seen her the next morning when Andrew came to your mobile home that morning to get blankets. he brought her with him so she wouldn’t run while he was gone..
And you had no choice but to finally call and get help from her family cause she was so beat up from his attack.
Your statement on June 18th was “He told me he’d hit her, he didnt think he’d hit her that hard.” So in your mind is it right for a man to beat a young girl? Especially when she was in your care from the moment you picked her up!
Huhn. Yeah, DID you ever stop to think that, some of the beating was cause she kept pushing him away and screaming no. Didn’t you hear her? Oh wait you was use to them fighting and him hitting her.. Cause repeatedly they came to your house cause you couldn’t controll your own son. And you really think he should be out.? Wow i think maybe you should join him! You are the one who raised him to think everything in that matter was ok. He has been violent with your other sons, your on and off husband, and towards you.. Don’t lie for him any more. If you really love your son and you want to help him like a mother (not his friend for once) let him know whats wrong and stop thinking everything he does is ok. Cause its not and deep down i know you feel the same.
And all the times he has been violent. You question why. Well someone who is very close said he was only like that when he drank. But who kept buying him the alcohol?? He just turned 18 so he couldn’t himself.
Don’t blame others anymore.. Cause mostly everyone who has been in that house has told me personally, most the cause was you.
You kept purchasing a minor alcohol and thaut it was ok he is a big boy. Well big boys don’t act like that.
He should have got more time to be honest. 3 years won’t make him different and 3 years does not 100 percent justify what he did to that young girl! At all! I would have kept the adult sentence.
Didn’t you get charged with anything? Accessory after fact? Contributing? Cause not only was he in the wrong, but you was the adult! And went along with it! You should be more to blame, you had that girls life in your care and look what happened! And to think, your a mother. What has the world came to. I hope the others don’t turn out like him… Just thinking about it all is awful. I am ashamed to know another mother would even do that. What if she was your daughter or it was your own child? I feel sorry for that little girl and her parents. I really do. I can’t believe they got mixed up with people like yal….shame.
Were you there? on Fri, 24th Oct 2008 2:01 pm
Luvmydane,
yes andrew may have done some good deeds. But the few good deeds he has done did not help the victim. What was good about what he did to her? Nothing. All these people are just walking aound sayin he doenst desrve hard time, and He isnt guilty of rape. But do you honestly think that if he was innocent that all the evidence would have been so strong? Answer that honestly. And if you think he doesn’t deserve adult time.. Just to let you know, as of today, Andrew is an adult. It’s time for him to take responsibilty and face consequences. Cause three years isn’t enough. In three years that young lady will be a woman but will still have the fear of the childhood/adolescent years he ruined. And she will have to walk in the store and fear he is in there. What if he wants to get really disorderly when he gets out an dgoes after her or someone else.
THEN WILL YOU FINALLY GET IT!? Andrew Fender isn’t the type to sit there and admitt he is wrong. If you knew him, you might agree. In his mind he is never wrong. Always right. He needs more than just three years of help and your happy that is what he got? What kind of person thinks its okay to beat up someone you want to marry and not take them to the hospital? Rapes them and feels it’s okay to do that and isn’t sorry for it. I’m sorry but oly crazy people do that. And let me tell you one thing, and i know the victim and she ended it with him during that week and made it final earlier that friday till Andrew kept sweet talking her. Say you was fifteen and you ended a year and half relationship cause you was tired of being the punching bag. But you loved that young man so much you would believe him if he promised he wouldnt hit you for once. It’s not that little girls fault at all, it his, but she was fifteen with very little common sense when it came to love. Cause you know why? She trusted him, and thats what she gets for having such an open heart towards someone she once cared for. Have some sympathy. Andrew Christopher Fender was NOT the victim in this case. A young girl named Amy was.!!!
safer va. on Thu, 5th Feb 2009 9:30 am
if a parent cannot raise a child to become something other than a violent rapist, they belong in jail….. so does the parent! so stop using the public for support