Post by greeky on Jul 27, 2011 14:13:51 GMT -5
Here's a 36-page report from Rochester.
One DU was stabbed to death in a fight over a girl, and a judge ruled it "self-defense"
www.rochester.edu/president/memos/2011/bordeaux-report.html
Bordeaux’s ex-girlfriend, junior Shaelom James (age 20), also arrived at the DU party at
some point prior to 1:06 a.m. James testified at the criminal trial that at the party Bordeaux tried
to hug and kiss her, but she rejected him. James had just started a relationship with junior Daren
Venable (age 20). While Venable was on his way to the DU party, James sent him a text
message advising that Bordeaux was there. Venable responded “ok.”
Student witnesses at the DU party indicated that Bordeaux and Venable had some sort of
initial exchange after Venable arrived at the party, but recollections of that exchange range from
an angry confrontation to a friendly greeting. However, the witnesses’ recollections are
consistent that when Bordeaux later saw Venable and James hugging in the 1st Floor Lounge area
of DU, he became agitated. Bordeaux approached the couple once, initially stated words to the
effect that he was “cool with it” and walked away for a few seconds, but then came back toward
them stating that “he was not cool with it.” All indications are that the next events occurred very
quickly.
At about 1:06 a.m. Bordeaux moved aggressively toward Venable. Witnesses were not
consistent on what exactly was said between the two, but were consistent that Bordeaux
continued to move toward Venable stating or at least indicating a desire to punch Venable, while
Venable was holding out his arm and hand, retreating, and saying words like “Don’t do this.” As
the interaction escalated, DU social host Kyle Coapman immediately went to the front door to
advise DU President Trevor Baisden about the incident. In the interim, blows were struck by
Bordeaux. Eyewitness trial testimony, as summarized by Judge DeMarco’s trial verdict,2
indicated that Mr. Bordeaux “repeatedly and forcefully punched Mr. Venable in the face.” At
some point Venable stabbed Bordeaux multiple times with a 3 1/2 inch long folding knife,3
including a fatal blow to Bordeaux’s heart. Coapman testified that the total time from when he
left the room to when he returned was about 20 seconds, and in that time the fight had ended and
Bordeaux had been stabbed. Coapman at that point called Security.
One DU was stabbed to death in a fight over a girl, and a judge ruled it "self-defense"
www.rochester.edu/president/memos/2011/bordeaux-report.html
Bordeaux’s ex-girlfriend, junior Shaelom James (age 20), also arrived at the DU party at
some point prior to 1:06 a.m. James testified at the criminal trial that at the party Bordeaux tried
to hug and kiss her, but she rejected him. James had just started a relationship with junior Daren
Venable (age 20). While Venable was on his way to the DU party, James sent him a text
message advising that Bordeaux was there. Venable responded “ok.”
Student witnesses at the DU party indicated that Bordeaux and Venable had some sort of
initial exchange after Venable arrived at the party, but recollections of that exchange range from
an angry confrontation to a friendly greeting. However, the witnesses’ recollections are
consistent that when Bordeaux later saw Venable and James hugging in the 1st Floor Lounge area
of DU, he became agitated. Bordeaux approached the couple once, initially stated words to the
effect that he was “cool with it” and walked away for a few seconds, but then came back toward
them stating that “he was not cool with it.” All indications are that the next events occurred very
quickly.
At about 1:06 a.m. Bordeaux moved aggressively toward Venable. Witnesses were not
consistent on what exactly was said between the two, but were consistent that Bordeaux
continued to move toward Venable stating or at least indicating a desire to punch Venable, while
Venable was holding out his arm and hand, retreating, and saying words like “Don’t do this.” As
the interaction escalated, DU social host Kyle Coapman immediately went to the front door to
advise DU President Trevor Baisden about the incident. In the interim, blows were struck by
Bordeaux. Eyewitness trial testimony, as summarized by Judge DeMarco’s trial verdict,2
indicated that Mr. Bordeaux “repeatedly and forcefully punched Mr. Venable in the face.” At
some point Venable stabbed Bordeaux multiple times with a 3 1/2 inch long folding knife,3
including a fatal blow to Bordeaux’s heart. Coapman testified that the total time from when he
left the room to when he returned was about 20 seconds, and in that time the fight had ended and
Bordeaux had been stabbed. Coapman at that point called Security.