Disclaimer: This article mentions suicide and sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.
The 2016 true-crime documentary Audrie & Daisy sheds light on the cyberbullying and harassment faced by two victims of sexual assault. One of the subjects of the Netflix documentary, 15-year-old Audrie Pott, committed suicide days after the rape. Meanwhile, Daisy Coleman, a survivor who co-founded a sexual assault prevention organization, tragically passed away, also by suicide, in 2020 at the age of 23. However, Coleman’s mother also committed suicide months after her daughter’s untimely passing.
Per The US Sun, Matthew Barnett, who was then 17, was accused of sexually assaulting Daisy Coleman at an alcohol-fueled house party in Maryville, Missouri. In 2012, Daisy snuck out of the house with a 13-year-old friend. Barnett and his friends picked them up and went to a party at his house. Daisy alleged that she was raped in a bedroom after being given a clear liquid. She also claimed that another boy recorded a video on his cellphone. However, cops found out that the footage no longer existed. Daisy’s friend was also allegedly raped by a 15-year-old boy. Barnett then allegedly left Daisy on her porch in sub-freezing temperatures while she was barely conscious and under the effects of alcohol.
What charges did Matthew Barnett face in Daisy Coleman’s case?
Initially, Barnett was arrested on sexual assault charges and endangering the welfare of a child, reported The US Sun. Although he eventually admitted to having sex with Daisy, he insisted that it was consensual. As a result, he was not charged with a felony sexual assault. In 2014, 19-year-old Barnett pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor child endangerment charge, reported CBS News. His sentence was two years of probation and a four-month suspended jail term.
According to The US Sun, following the verdict, Daisy’s family criticized the dismissal of felony charges against Barnett and the other teen. The Nodaway County prosecutor, Robert Rice, cited a lack of evidence for dropping the charges against Barnett, who is the grandson of a former Republican Missouri state representative. Melinda Coleman, Daisy’s mom, alleged that Rice was under political pressure for doing so. However, the Nodaway County prosecutor denied the claim.
Following that, the case was reopened by Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters-Baker. She also determined there was “insufficient evidence” to file a sexual assault charge. Peters Baker then filed the misdemeanor charge, noted CBS News. Barnett pleaded guilty to the same. The plea deal stated Barnett would pay $1,800 in restitution to the victim so could receive mental health treatment. In addition, he was told to complete 100 hours of community service and apologize to the victim.
Audrie & Daisy is available to watch on Netflix.
