VA - Eric Williamson for indecent exposure, Springfield, 2009

[colette]

My guess is the only reason that they are investigating this or "fishing" for more "victims" was that this was a cop's wife... end of story.

 

[jjenny]

My guess is the only reason that they are investigating this or "fishing" for more "victims" was that this was a cop's wife... end of story.

My feelings as well.
The response to this incident sure seems to be way over the top to me.
Sending five police officers to his home to arrest him? Then sending police officers to ask his neighbors if they saw him naked? Posting fliers about this? Really? Are there no crimes in that area, such as burglaries, robberies, murders, etc, that police can devote that much effort to the case of a guy who was seen naked in his home?

 

[Celt1997]

Honestly, when the lady called the police they could have quickly looked him up to see if he had any prior incidents similar to this. If none came up then they simply could have visited him, let him know what happened, and IF it happened ever again there would be severe consequences.

This really could have been a whole lot easier. But, I have a feeling that the reputation of a police officer's wife is on the line, and that is fueling this witch hunt.

 

[STEADFAST]

Honestly, when the lady called the police they could have quickly looked him up to see if he had any prior incidents similar to this. If none came up then they simply could have visited him, let him know what happened, and IF it happened ever again there would be severe consequences.

This really could have been a whole lot easier. But, I have a feeling that the reputation of a police officer's wife is on the line, and that is fueling this witch hunt.

If they had looked him up, they would have seen that he had a court date scheduled for that Wednesday for public swearing and intoxication.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/l...offee-naked-or-exposing-himself_-8418601.html

They did ask around. "We've heard there may have been other people who had a similar incident," said Mary Ann Jennings, a Fairfax County Police spokesperson.


His roommates told LE that he was drunk that morning and running around naked in a hard hat.

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/102109_naked_man_arrested_after_making_coffee_update

 

[Celt1997]

His roommates told LE that he was drunk that morning and running around naked in a hard hat.

Which, IMO, sounds more like someone who was letting off a little steam after getting fired from his job, and less like someone looking to expose himself to children. But, again, just MHO.

 

[STEADFAST]

Which, IMO, sounds more like someone who was letting off a little steam after getting fired from his job, and less like someone looking to expose himself to children. But, again, just MHO.

I agree. In no way do I think this guy was being sexual or pervy. I think he was being more "FU -- I'll dance around naked in a hard hat if I like. I'm in my house." Probably thought he was being funny. Same difference to the 7 year old, though, as if he was a lecherous flasher.

I think where I differ from many on here is that I think he purposely exposed himself.

 

[kgeaux]

IMO, the fact that he didn't know what time the woman alleges she spied him only reinforces his story that he didn't know anyone saw him. Personally, I think it's odd behavior to see someone naked in their own home and then keep looking… from different vantage points even!

Does it make a difference if he says he didn't know anyone saw him? He was standing in an open doorway, facing a walking path, in the nude in broad daylight, as children were approaching their bus stop. (Remember, earlier he had said this standing in the doorway happened in the dark, at 5:30AM--if he'd fudge the truth about that, doesn't that give the possibility that he will fudge about whether or not he knew he was seen?) He surely knew his behavior ALLOWED for his body to be on public display. The home is not in an isolated area.

 

[kgeaux]

Which, IMO, sounds more like someone who was letting off a little steam after getting fired from his job, and less like someone looking to expose himself to children. But, again, just MHO.

It does sound like he was having a reaction to losing his job. But does that mean no investigation should be done?

As his lawyer says, intent must be proven. LE may have some difficulty with proving that, or they may not. LE says its received other reports about Williamson, and IMO, everything is riding on what those reports say.

 

[believe09]

Purposely exposed himself. To the woman? Did he see the child when he was in the window I wonder?

I mean really-if you are of the age of majority, have you been seriously emotionally injured by someone exposing themselves?

You know it is funny-I grew up with older brothers, and exposure of privates in public much less in your own home is low on my list of crimes against humanity.

I think if he behaved lewdly to the child, that is an issue. It is hard for me to get wound up if he was being lewd to another adult from his own home when she was checking him out.

I actually think it is hilarious that he was running around drunk in just a hard hat at 830 in the morning.....

I must be overtired.

 

[Danaya]

I just know that children get exposed daily by perverts who get off on flashing themselves. It's a frequent thing and it is traumatic. I think we should take everything with a grain of salt that this man tells the press. We weren't there and there is absolutely no proof anybody burst into his bedroom and we don't know if he was even making coffee as he claims. Who really knows? I certaintly don't. Let the investigation continue and ask yourself, what if this was your child?

 

[gxm]

Does it make a difference if he says he didn't know anyone saw him? He was standing in an open doorway, facing a walking path, in the nude in broad daylight, as children were approaching their bus stop. (Remember, earlier he had said this standing in the doorway happened in the dark, at 5:30AM--if he'd fudge the truth about that, doesn't that give the possibility that he will fudge about whether or not he knew he was seen?) He surely knew his behavior ALLOWED for his body to be on public display. The home is not in an isolated area.

It sounds to me like he wasn't fudging the truth, he just didn't know when he had been seen. So far, it seems that he's been pretty honest because he admitted to walking around naked for several hours, when he could have lied and said he'd already dressed when the woman says she saw him. (His roommates had left three hours earlier.)

I have more of a problem with a passerby walking around a house and peering in windows in order to take offense at what the homeowner is doing. And I don't think that seeing a grown man naked (minus lewd behavior) will traumatize a boy. If that were the case then all men's bathrooms, dressing rooms and locker rooms should be off limit to male children. (Actually I do have a problem with women who bring their sons into women's dressing rooms but that's a whole 'nother issue. Maybe I should call the cops on them… but it probably wouldn't do any good since I'm not a cop's wife.)

I also have a problem with sending five officers to arrest one naked man in his own home. Was that really necessary? Add the fact that they are trying to pin more on this guy and it really seems to me to be an effort to defend the eagerly offended cop's wife.

 

[butwhatif?]

It sounds to me like he wasn't fudging the truth, he just didn't know when he had been seen. So far, it seems that he's been pretty honest because he admitted to walking around naked for several hours, when he could have lied and said he'd already dressed when the woman says she saw him. (His roommates had left three hours earlier.)

I have more of a problem with a passerby walking around a house and peering in windows in order to take offense at what the homeowner is doing. And I don't think that seeing a grown man naked (minus lewd behavior) will traumatize a boy. If that were the case then all men's bathrooms, dressing rooms and locker rooms should be off limit to male children. (Actually I do have a problem with women who bring their sons into women's dressing rooms but that's a whole 'nother issue. Maybe I should call the cops on them… but it probably wouldn't do any good since I'm not a cop's wife.)

I also have a problem with sending five officers to arrest one naked man in his own home. Was that really necessary? Add the fact that they are trying to pin more on this guy and it really seems to me to be an effort to defend the eagerly offended cop's wife.

BBM-
I live in the city so I do alot of walking instead of driving. If I happen to see the goings-on inside someones home, its not because I'm leering or being a peeping tom, it's because I cannot see where I'm going if I keep my eyes focused only on the footpath (gotta look both ways, and all that).

There probably is some politics involved in this case, but it should be really simple...
Windows are made of GLASS.
People can see through glass.
Don't do anything in front of a window that you wouldn't do in public.

I don't think the guy should do time for his stupid mistake, but he should be warned. (And I agree, 5 officers was definately OTT).
Hopefully others can learn from this too. We are living in dangerous times, and we need to be more cautious, even inside our own homes.

JMO

 

[songline]

I was more outraged about this story before I read that the woman and boy were walking by his front window, which, as you can see by the picture in this article, is practically a picture window. Being naked in your own home is one thing; being naked in front of your front window with the curtains open and the light on when it's dark outside is something different. He'd have to be an idiot to not know he could be seen from the street.
Picture of him (clothed) in the window-- http://www.wtkr.com/news/wtkr-naked-kitchen,0,7977988.story

I do it all the time...But I know I m not directly facing other windows or passersby....And I would hope someone is not out there with binoculars. LOL I think a person should however consider if they can be seen or not. BUT, but, But...This is at 5:30 AM - at that ungodly hour most people are still home.
What was she doing in his yard? if she was not trespassing she would not have been offended.

 

[eleven]

(Actually I do have a problem with women who bring their sons into women's dressing rooms but that's a whole 'nother issue. Maybe I should call the cops on them… but it probably wouldn't do any good since I'm not a cop's wife.)

Respectfully snipped...

As a mother to 3 boys, I must interject. When my boys were very little, I often took them into public womens restrooms AND dressing rooms with me. I didn't ALWAYS take them into the public restrooms with me...that occurred only after I saw or read a news story about a little boy being murdered in a public male restroom while his mother waited directly outside the door. The killer walked in after her son, and the mother politely waited outside the door for her little boy. He was murdered in a span of less than 2 minutes. She watched the killer walk out (who, by the way, "looked" like an average male) and the killer actually SMILED at her as he walked out the door. Being polite, she smiled back. Less than a minute later, she cracked the door open just enough to call his name. When she got no answer, she walked inside, loudly proclaiming that she was entering in case anyone else was in there. Her little boys body was in a crumpled heap on the floor. His throat was slit so bad that he was almost beheaded.

Immediately upon reading that, I forever changed my views and actions when it came to public restrooms/dressing rooms when my boys were very little. They ALWAYS came in with me, and you know what? I would say that 99.9% of the women were TOTALLY FINE with it....they were mothers as well, most likely. In fact, the one and only time that I got any flack about it came from a woman who not only never had any little boys of her own, but she was childless and as such, did not have the comprehension of feeling the innate "mother lioness protecting her cubs" feeling that mothers do. Mind you, I allowed her to go on her little tirade about how she was soooo uncomfortable (and UPTIGHT about naked bodies...for shame!) but completely dismissed her as someone whose opinion was irrelevant and needed to get over herself.

It is sooo cliche to say this, but it truly DOES take a village....our children are our future. We must protect them. It is no longer safe to allow our very young boys to go into public restrooms by themselves. When I have grandbabies and if they are boys, I will continue the same practice with them. Now that my boys are older and go to public restrooms by themselves, I often see other young Moms bringing their boys into the ladies bathroom and/or dressing room. My immediate reaction is that they are lucky to have such a diligent, caring mother.

Done with the off-topic rant. Carry on, LOL.

Edited to add: It will be a great day when people can finally stop being so ridiculously uptight about nudeness!

 

[jjenny]

I just know that children get exposed daily by perverts who get off on flashing themselves. It's a frequent thing and it is traumatic. I think we should take everything with a grain of salt that this man tells the press. We weren't there and there is absolutely no proof anybody burst into his bedroom and we don't know if he was even making coffee as he claims. Who really knows? I certaintly don't. Let the investigation continue and ask yourself, what if this was your child?

The guy was in his own home and he wasn't doing anything lewd. If he were doing anything lewd, I am pretty sure police would have informed us by now, seeing as how seriously they are treating this incident.
Somehow I think a seven year old boy should be able to survive that without permanent mental damage. Otherwise children would be forbidden into men's restrooms and showers.
By the way I personally don't have a problem with women bringing their small male children into women's bathrooms.
But if these children then witness a woman in that bathroom in a less than perfect state of dress, do you think there will be a permanent mental trauma involved? Since you seem to imply that seeing an adult in a state of undress is horribly traumatic to a child, even if this adult isn't doing anything lewd?

 

[songline]

I just know that children get exposed daily by perverts who get off on flashing themselves. It's a frequent thing and it is traumatic. I think we should take everything with a grain of salt that this man tells the press. We weren't there and there is absolutely no proof anybody burst into his bedroom and we don't know if he was even making coffee as he claims. Who really knows? I certainly don't. Let the investigation continue and ask yourself, what if this was your child?

If the story is that she was trespassing at 5:30 or what ever time, I would not teach my child to transpass someones property and then call LE/hubby.
If the story is that he stood there in broad daylight where children often pass by on the way to school bus because he was drunk, I would put my hand over my kids eyes.
WE don't have one straight story at all....
If the guy stood naked because he always does knowing kids pass by at that time. just lock the sob up.

 

[crimesandjustice.com]

Just weird.. Maybe he should be in the middle of a 50 acre plot.

 

[WholeLottaRosie]

Does it make a difference if he says he didn't know anyone saw him? He was standing in an open doorway, facing a walking path, in the nude in broad daylight, as children were approaching their bus stop. (Remember, earlier he had said this standing in the doorway happened in the dark, at 5:30AM--if he'd fudge the truth about that, doesn't that give the possibility that he will fudge about whether or not he knew he was seen?) He surely knew his behavior ALLOWED for his body to be on public display. The home is not in an isolated area.

Don't we only have the passerby saying the time as 8:30? I don't know that I believe this unknown person at all.

 

[gxm]

Respectfully snipped...

As a mother to 3 boys, I must interject. When my boys were very little, I often took them into public womens restrooms AND dressing rooms with me. I didn't ALWAYS take them into the public restrooms with me...that occurred only after I saw or read a news story about a little boy being murdered in a public male restroom while his mother waited directly outside the door. The killer walked in after her son, and the mother politely waited outside the door for her little boy. He was murdered in a span of less than 2 minutes. She watched the killer walk out (who, by the way, "looked" like an average male) and the killer actually SMILED at her as he walked out the door. Being polite, she smiled back. Less than a minute later, she cracked the door open just enough to call his name. When she got no answer, she walked inside, loudly proclaiming that she was entering in case anyone else was in there. Her little boys body was in a crumpled heap on the floor. His throat was slit so bad that he was almost beheaded.

Immediately upon reading that, I forever changed my views and actions when it came to public restrooms/dressing rooms when my boys were very little. They ALWAYS came in with me, and you know what? I would say that 99.9% of the women were TOTALLY FINE with it....they were mothers as well, most likely. In fact, the one and only time that I got any flack about it came from a woman who not only never had any little boys of her own, but she was childless and as such, did not have the comprehension of feeling the innate "mother lioness protecting her cubs" feeling that mothers do. Mind you, I allowed her to go on her little tirade about how she was soooo uncomfortable (and UPTIGHT about naked bodies...for shame!) but completely dismissed her as someone whose opinion was irrelevant and needed to get over herself.

It is sooo cliche to say this, but it truly DOES take a village....our children are our future. We must protect them. It is no longer safe to allow our very young boys to go into public restrooms by themselves. When I have grandbabies and if they are boys, I will continue the same practice with them. Now that my boys are older and go to public restrooms by themselves, I often see other young Moms bringing their boys into the ladies bathroom and/or dressing room. My immediate reaction is that they are lucky to have such a diligent, caring mother.

Done with the off-topic rant. Carry on, LOL.

Edited to add: It will be a great day when people can finally stop being so ridiculously uptight about nudeness!

So where do you stand on this case? Was the boy harmed by, allegedly, seeing a man walking around his own home in the nude?

BTW, I have a son. And when he was little, I took him into restrooms. It's the older and/or undisciplined boys who are allowed to run around peering under doors that I find fault with. I'm usually a nice person and don't complain but having read this whole brouhaha and the comments insinuating it's okay for boys to ogle women but not men, well I think the next time it happens I'm going to pitch a fit. I have every right to expect privacy when I'm in a bathroom or dressing room. Is it my fault if these kids are traumatized by watching me change clothes or go to the bathroom? When IMO, someone who teaches their kids (sons or daughters) that it's okay to intrude on someone's privacy is not doing a very good job of parenting.

How does everyone feel about fathers taking their daughters into men's bathrooms or dressing rooms? It would be interesting to see if there's a double standard.

 

[gxm]

If the story is that she was trespassing at 5:30 or what ever time, I would not teach my child to transpose someones property and then call LE/hubby.
If the story is that he stood there in broad daylight where children often pass by on the way to school bus because he was drunk, I would put my hand over my kids eyes.
WE don't have one straight story at all....
If the guy stood naked because he always does knowing kids pass by at that time. just lock the sob up.

To the best of our knowledge, this was the only morning he was home alone. He was usually at work by the time kids were heading to the bus stop. But ITA, unless he was doing something lewd, this case is completely frivolous.