ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Republicans hire female prosecutor for Kavanaugh-Ford sexual-assault hearing, lawyer for second accuser says they're being railroaded

Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee hired Arizona sex crimes prosecutor Rachel Mitchell to question Brett Kavanaugh in a hearing on the sexual assault allegations leveled against him by Christine Blasey Ford. The attorney will also question Ford.

  • Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee hired an Arizona sex-crimes prosecutor to ask questions on their behalf at a scheduled hearing during which Christine Blasey Ford will speak publicly about her sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh.
  • Rachel Mitchell, a Maricopa County attorney, will lead a round of questioning at the hearing on Thursday.
  • Committee chairman Chuck Grassley initially did not reveal Mitchell's identity Tuesday night, but he changed course after some sharp rebukes from Ford's attorneys and others.
  • There were also lingering questions about whether Deborah Ramirez, Kavanaugh's second accuser, would testify. Ramirez's attorney said Republican members of the Judiciary Committee were no-shows for a scheduled phone call about that on Tuesday.

Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee hired an Arizona sex-crimes prosecutor to ask questions on their behalf at a scheduled hearing during which Christine Blasey Ford will speak about her sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh, multiple news outlets reported on Tuesday night.

Rachel Mitchell, a Maricopa County attorney, will lead a round of questioning at the Thursday hearing.

Committee chairman Chuck Grassley initially did not reveal Mitchell's identity, but he changed course after some sharp rebukes from Ford's attorneys and others.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ford has accused Kavanaugh of holding her down, fondling her over her clothes, and covering her mouth so she couldn't scream when they were teenagers in the 1980s. Kavanaugh denies the allegation.

The hearing set for Thursday is happening as Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee clamor to get Kavanaugh confirmed to the Supreme Court. A vote on that is scheduled for Friday.

Additionally, there were lingering questions about whether Deborah Ramirez, Kavanaugh's second accuser, would testify. Ramirez says Kavanaugh exposed himself to her while they were students at Yale, a claim Kavanaugh also denies.

Ramirez's attorney, John Clune, said that Republican members of the Judiciary Committee were no-shows for a scheduled phone call on Tuesday. Clune told MSNBC, "They won't talk to us."

"The demand that they keep making to us is, 'Give us every piece of information that you have now and then we can talk about scheduling a phone call,'" Clune said.

ADVERTISEMENT

In an interview with CNN, Clune said a phone call was finally scheduled for Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET, but only the Democrats showed up. Clune is among those asking that the FBI open a new investigation into the sexual assault claims against Kavanaugh.

The wrangling has exasperated some Republicans who are eager to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court and notch another victory for President Donald Trump ahead of the November midterm elections.

Trump last week indicated he was open to Ford sharing her story with the lawmakers, but has since turned away from that idea. This week, Trump has also sought to discredit Ramirez. He's now accusing Democrats of using the women as part of what he called a "con game" to destroy Kavanaugh.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT