BOSTON, April 10, 2018—The man who gained access to a Boston University student’s dorm room in 2015 and sexually assaulted her while she slept pleaded guilty today in a hearing that accommodated the survivor’s strong preference not to testify at trial and fulfilled her wishes to put the case behind her with the defendant’s unequivocal admissions of responsibility and remorse, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

SAMSON DONICK, 22, pleaded guilty to indecent assault and battery, assault and battery, and breaking and entering at night with intent to commit a misdemeanor. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders sentenced him to five years of probation, during which time he must perform 1000 hours of community service, undergo sex offender treatment, have no contact with the survivor, and wear a GPS monitor. At the survivor’s request, Sanders further ordered that the defendant make a personal apology to her, which he did from the witness stand.

Donick had been indicted on more serious charges of aggravated rape and other offenses for gaining access to the woman’s room, where she woke to find him touching her genitals in the early morning hours of Oct. 18, 2015. Prosecutors had for months been preparing for a trial scheduled for this week and agreed to today’s disposition only after extensive discussions with the survivor, who felt strongly that testifying at trial would not be in her emotional best interests and who expressed to the court her strong preference to resolve the case prior to trial.

Rather than compel her to testify against her will or drop the case entirely, prosecutors sought the survivor’s input and negotiated a resolution that would both satisfy her wishes and provide some measure of accountability for the defendant. The court accepted that resolution.

“Victims and survivors of sexual assault should know that our office will always consider and pursue their best interests,” Conley said. “Their empowerment is at the very heart of what we do. Regardless of who you are, where you’re from, or what the circumstances might be, you can always count on us for a safe, respectful, survivor-centered environment to disclose sexual assault and discuss services and support.”

Sexual assault can happen to anyone. While the victims of any crime are asked to call 911 in an emergency, survivors of sexual violence can also call their local rape crisis center for free and confidential services and to discuss their options. Support is available for all survivors of sexual violence, regardless of whether they wish to take part in a criminal prosecution. Services by city and town can be found through Jane Doe Inc. at www.janedoe.org/find_help/search. Jane Doe Inc. is a coalition of 60 local member programs working together to find lasting solutions that promote the safety, liberty, and dignity for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

In Suffolk County, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center offers a free and confidential 24-hour hotline at 800-841-8371. The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center provides medical accompaniment and many other free services to victims of rape and sexual assault. Suffolk victim-witness advocates can assist in referrals to BARCC and a wide array of non-profit service providers who can offer additional support and services.

Anne Kelley-McCarthy was the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.