Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town

The chapter chronicles the legal battles that ensue after Cecilia Washburn accuses Jordan Johnson of rape. Kirsten Pabst, a Missoula County prosecutor, resigns from her position to defend Johnson. However, Judge Karen Townsend denies Pabst’s motion to dismiss the charges, setting the stage for a contentious trial. The chapter also highlights the challenges faced by survivors of sexual assault within the US legal system, particularly in cases involving high-profile defendants. Krakauer underscores the adversarial nature of the legal system, where survivors often face significant obstacles in their pursuit of justice. The trial is framed as a battle of narratives, with the outcome hinging on whose story is more persuasive, rather than a straightforward pursuit of truth.

Pabst, a former prosecutor turned defense attorney, leverages her extensive courtroom experience to undermine Washburn’s credibility and portray Johnson as a virtuous, upstanding young man. Pabst paints Washburn as a deceitful woman with a history of mental health conditions who fabricated the rape accusation out of regret over the encounter and a desire for attention. Krakauer notes that Pabst’s defense strategy relies on character assassination and the omission of Johnson’s history of alcohol misuse, which was barred from being mentioned in court.