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Rape Victim's Father Expresses Gratitude For Escapee's Capture

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 31, 2008

TAMPA - The father of a 21-year-old woman who authorities say was raped by Raymond Marston, the inmate who escaped from a county jail, today thanked law enforcement and two homeless brothers whose tip led to Marston's capture.

Marston, 50, had been in jail since May 27 on charges including sexual battery, kidnapping, robbery and aggravated battery. He escaped from Falkenburg Road Jail on Sunday night as he was being escorted to a medical clinic, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

Two homeless brothers, who frequently camp out under the bridge at Sheldon and Mohr roads in Town 'N Country, called 911 on Thursday after recognizing Marston, the sheriff's office said. Marston is accused of beating and raping the 21-year-old woman in that area on May 26.

Thursday, Marston was booked into Orient Road Jail on an additional charge of escape from confinement. Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Walter Heinrich ordered him held without bail this morning.

As a sign of his gratitude, the father asked the community to demonstrate acts of kindness and compassion to the homeless, especially during the holidays.

"Please don't judge all the homeless on the acts of a few, remember it is they, members of the community, who made the right call to do the right thing and protect the entire Tampa community," the father wrote in an e-mail this morning.

The father, who lives in New Hampshire, sent the message in response to a message from a Tampa Tribune reporter about Marston's capture.

In his e-mail, the father thanked Bay area residents and local law enforcement for their support and prayers.

While Marston was at large this week, his daughter was afraid he would victimize someone else or return to harm her again, the father wrote. When he was found, "Marston was back to being the troll under a bridge just like when she was attacked," the father wrote.

For anyone angry about the escape, the father suggested directing that anger toward "the procedural oversights that took place at the jail" and urged for reform.

He applauded the local detectives and "many others who had tracked him down and captured him in the first place. These are the same folks, with the help of a crucial tip from the public, a homeless person no less, who stayed alert and determined to bring him back to justice.

"Please join us in praising the work that the Law Enforcement agencies (Local, State and Federal) do, the often thankless job and conditions they perform it in, and the true nature of the service they provide; keeping the greater good as safe and free from harm as possible," he wrote.

Reporter Josh Poltilove and News Channel 8 reporter Chip Osowski contributed to this report. Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800.

Reporter Josh Poltilove and News Channel 8 reporter Chip Osowski contributed to this report. Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800.

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