Holtzclaw Victim Shares Story In Hopes Of Inspiring Others

Surrounded by her daughter, her lawyer and a string of supporters, Jannie Ligons, a 58-year-old grandmother from Oklahoma City told a national audience about what happened to her the night of June 18, 2014, during a Friday morning news conference outside the steps of the Oklahoma County courthouse. The same courthouse Daniel Holtzclaw was convicted in Thursday night.

She claimed former Oklahoma City Officer Daniel Holtzclaw pulled her over, forced her to expose herself, and then forced her to perform oral sex.

“Just picked the wrong lady to stop that night,” said Ligons.

She first spoke out about the shocking encounter with News 9 back on June 24th, 2014.

8/21/14 Related Story: Woman Who Sparked OCPD Officer Investigation Speaks Out

“I said, ‘Oh no you aren’t supposed to do this, you’re not supposed to do this to me sir’,” said Ligons.

Back then, she did not want to show her face for fear of retaliation and because she was a victim of sexual assault. Now, that the former officer has been convicted for her attack and for attacking seven others, she wanted to go public

“I was out there alone and helpless,” said Ligons during the televised news conference. “I didn't know what to do. And in my mind all I could think is that he was going to shoot me, he was going to kill me.”

She was in the courtroom when the verdict was read against Daniel Holtzclaw. She teared up as the guilty verdict for her assault was read, but said she was disappointed that Holtzclaw was found not guilty on 18 of the 36 counts he was ultimately charged with and which led to his termination.

“Hate he did it but justice was served,” said Ligons.

Jannie Ligons said she has had to undergo months of counseling to help her through the trauma she experienced and still lives with it day in and day out. But she said that is why she is putting her face and name out there, hoping it helps inspire other victims of sexual assault to get help and not hide in shame.

Five of the 13 women who testified against Holtzclaw have hired an attorney to help represent them in a civil suit.

12/11/15 Related Story: Holtzclaw’s Victims Press For Civil Justice, Investigation

The state chapter of the NAACP also plans to file a request with the Department of Justice for a civil rights investigation into sexual assaults involving police departments across the nation.