Defendant in sex assault case says he made ‘a big mistake’

Erica Johnson

Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2001 | 9:50 a.m.

Clarence "James" Dozier, accused of drugging and sexually assaulting three woman as well as videotaping the scenes, said he made "a big mistake," as the defense phase of the case got under way Tuesday.

Dozier, who was called to testify shortly before court adjourned Tuesday, was arrested in November after one of the alleged victims, a former girlfriend, woke up during one of the encounters and called police, who suspect Dozier put prescription sleeping pills in the woman's drink.

Deputy District Attorney Mary Kay Holthus presented the jury with audiotapes of a voluntary statement made by Dozier that was taken by investigators the morning of the incident.

In the statement, Dozier said he gave the alleged victim two or three sleeping pills when she said she couldn't sleep. Later in the statement, Dozier admitted he gave her eight to 10 pills.

"I made a big mistake," Dozier said in the statement. "My intentions were not to drug her to have sex. My intentions were to give her some medication to help her sleep, but ... I ended up taking advantage of the situation."

Vickie Shelden, Dozier's sister and a witness for the defense, said she knows the second alleged victim.

Shelden said she had a conversation with the woman after Dozier's arrest. She said the alleged victim told her she didn't feel like a rape victim and that she wasn't afraid of Dozier.

District Judge Mark Gibbons said the testimony was hearsay, although he allowed it to stand.

During the prosecution phase last week, jurors watched a videotape of Dozier performing sex acts with the alleged victims. Dozier says the sex was consensual.

Dozier's testimony is expected to continue this morning.