CLEVELAND — On Monday, a judge convicted suspended Cleveland police officer Matthew Piter of two lesser counts of gross sexual imposition against one of two victims who claimed he attacked them.
"I find the evidence and the testimony of Miss Spencer credible, as well as the evidence credible," Judge John J. Russo said during Piter's trial Monday.
Credible in court means competent and worthy of belief. To Ashley Spencer though, being called credible means validation to her two-and-a-half-year battle to be heard and believed while facing someone in a position of authority, Officer Matthew Piter.
"I'm feeling ecstatic, he deserved everything he got," Spencer said.
Spencer, who is recovering from a medical emergency, felt so strong that she spoke from her hospital bed following Monday's verdict.
She first came forward to 3News last year to share how a match on a dating app with the police officer ended with her not consenting to sex. Spencer sent us a picture, a selfie she took right before he picked her up that fateful night.
"I waited two and a half years for this, so it's a little scary. It was a long two and a half years," Spencer said.
Following Spencer's story, Lauren Little came forward sharing a similar experience she had with Piter two years earlier.
She listened to the verdict while heading into work today.
The judge said Little is credible, but there wasn't enough evidence in her case, so Piter was found not guilty of rape.
"At the end of the day, he took away my consent, he didn't take away my life, I still have family that loves me, I have a husband that loves me, I have children who adore me, none of that changes," Little said.
Little and Spencer spoke to each other today after Piter was found guilty on two counts of gross sexual imposition, a case that Little said has forever bonded the women.
Meanwhile, Piter's attorney Henry Hilow said they won't be commenting until after sentencing February 28. Piter remains suspended without pay and now faces a maximum sentence of 3 years in prison.
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