West Point Cadet Acquitted of Rape

The first male West Point cadet to be charged with raping a female cadet after a night of drinking at an off-campus party was acquitted of sexually assaulting the woman. James Engelbrecht, 22, of Conroe, Texas, also was acquitted of committing an indecent act. The jury of seven male Army officers deliberated five hours. “We expected this in a man’s world,” the mother of the plaintiff said after the verdict. Engelbrecht faced life in prison and dismissal from the Army if convicted. He testified that the woman had initiated the sex and did not appear to be upset afterward. Prosecutors said the woman was too drunk to agree to sex.