Montana News

Court statement reveals Donaldson may have raped more than one woman

Posted: Jan 11, 2013 10:03 PM by Irina Cates - MTN News

MISSOULA - Before a judge sentenced ex-Griz player Beau Donaldson to 30 years in prison, with 20 suspended, for a September 2010 rape, court testimony said he'd raped more than one woman.

The now 23-year-old victim took the stand Friday and told Judge Karen Townsend that she met Donaldson in first grade and he became like a brother to her- and then she had to accept that this was the same person who raped her.

The victim and her best friend went to hang out with their friends at a party i September of 2010.

The victim's friend said, "We went to where Beau was living on South Street and stayed the night there."

The victim testified she woke up in the middle of the night to Donaldson raping her, and pretended to be asleep, because she was afraid of what he might do.

Once Donaldson left the room, she grabbed her phone, tiptoed to the door and then took off running barefoot down an alley.

She called her mother while Donaldson chased after her apologizing for what happened and trying to get her to stop.

The victim's mother said she drove trying to find her terrified and hysterical daughter who was pleading with her, "Save me, Mom" and "Help me" as she ran from Donaldson.

Once victim's mother got her, the two went back to the house to get the victim's best friend. The friend recounted, "Crying, saying 'Beau raped me, you need to get out of the house right now.' My mom and I are outside to get you."

Toward the end of the sentencing, Donaldson took the stand saying he hopes his apology helps the victim heal.

"Helps her with what she has lost by me breaking our friendship that night by taking advantage of her. I just want to thank everyone for being here and I'm sorry again."

A Great Falls woman also testified at the trial, telling the judge that in 2008, she was in bed when Donaldson came into her room, locked the door, climbed on top of her and raped her.

She screamed out for help and her friends were eventually able to force the door open and pull Donaldson off of her.

The woman told the judge she didn't report it because at the time, she didn't want anything to interrupt her plans toward her career.

"A young woman's trust has been violently taken away from her and in a way that has caused substantial damage to her and that the impact of that act has had substantial impact on her family," Judge Townsend said.

Donaldson cried as he was handcuffed and escorted out of the courtroom.

Townsend prohibited video and audio recording of the victim and her family's testimonies.