Sarah/Grooming

September 16, 2017: Sarah Rejects an Allegation Involving a 14-Year-Old

In a September 16, 2017 Twitter exchange, Sarah stated that Greg would have been “disgusted” by conduct involving a 14-year-old and said the person making the allegation was lying.

In this Twitter direct-message exchange, an Onision detractor known as “The Josh” asks Sarah why she does not believe a source making an allegation about Onision.

Sarah responds:

“Because I know Greg and he would not do that. A 14 year old? He would have been disgusted.”

She then adds:

“Whoever your source is is lying to you.”

What the message directly shows: At the time of this conversation, Sarah did not merely say that she was uncertain or lacked information. She affirmatively stated that, based on personally knowing Onision, she believed he would be disgusted by the idea of sexual conduct involving a 14-year-old. She also stated that the person supplying the allegation was lying.

Why it matters: This statement was made before Sarah’s later grooming allegations. It is relevant because it shows that Sarah’s expressed view at the time was that Onision was opposed to sexual involvement with minors and would not engage in the conduct being alleged. The defense contends that this materially conflicts with the later claim that Onision was grooming or sexually targeting minors.

Source: Twitter direct-message conversation dated September 16, 2017, between “The Josh” and Sarah.

In an October 1, 2018 message, Sarah acknowledges that Lucas did not return her romantic feelings and says she had known for two years that a relationship would not happen.

October 1, 2018: Sarah Describes Unreciprocated Romantic Feelings Toward Lucas

In this message, sent after Sarah had turned 18, Sarah tells Lucas that she understands he does not have romantic feelings for her.

Sarah writes:

“I’m not mad because you don’t have romantic feelings for me. It hurts but I know you have no control over that just like I have no control over my feelings.”

She also states:

“I’ve known nothing was ever going to happen for 2 years and I still stuck around because regardless of me being in love with you, you were always my best friend before anything else.”

Sarah explains that she had tried for years to overcome her feelings because preserving the friendship was important to her.

What the message directly shows: Sarah described herself as being in love with Lucas while acknowledging that Lucas did not return those romantic feelings. She also stated that she had believed for approximately two years that a relationship was not going to happen.

Why it matters: This message is relevant to the later grooming allegations because Sarah’s contemporaneous account describes the romantic interest as originating with her and being unreciprocated by Lucas. It also indicates that she expected rejection rather than believing that Lucas had promised, encouraged, or prepared her for a future romantic relationship.

Source: Text-message exchange dated October 1, 2018, between Sarah and Lucas.