After singer David Daniels’ guilty plea, the victim speaks out

Opera singer David Daniels and his husband, Scott Walters, have pled guilty to charges of sexual assault against fellow singer Samuel Schultz, avoiding severe penalties through a plea deal.

The backstory: Samuel Schultz accused Daniels and Walters of drugging and raping him in 2010 while he was a graduate student.
* The couple had consistently proclaimed their innocence until their last-minute guilty plea, admitting to second-degree sexual assault.
* The incident allegedly happened at an after-party of Daniels’ performance at the Houston Grand Opera.

Plea deal and its repercussions: The plea deal has allowed Daniels and Walters to avoid a more serious charge of aggravated sexual assault.
* Both men face eight years of probation, must register as sex offenders, and are ordered to avoid contact with Schultz.
* The case is being moved from Texas to Georgia, where Daniels and Walters reside.

Schultz testimony and ongoing trauma: Schultz highlights the hardship he has faced due to delay tactics by the defense.
* Schultz said that the defendants had tried to make him give up, causing him significant emotional trauma over the course of five years.
* He also mentioned that he has been publicly accused of taking advantage of the MeToo movement and lying about the incident.

What’s next: Schultz intends to use his experience to continue his advocacy.
* Schultz, who had previously served in the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), resigned after accusing them of favoring star singer Placido Domingo amid sexual misconduct allegations.
* He emphasizes the need for systemic changes within institutions to better recognize human dignity, especially of victims of sexual misconduct.

View original article on NPR

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