The former president of Temple University’s Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity will be tried for seven sexual assault charges. The chapter had been suspended due to numerous allegations of sexual misconduct this past semester.
On May 15, Temple University senior Ari Goldstein was arrested for attempted rape, according to Philly Voice. His arrest comes a month after Temple and Philadelphia Police started investigating numerous reports of sexual misconduct at the fraternity house.
The Jewish fraternity was indefinitely suspended on April 20 pending the outcome of the investigation, Philly Voice stated.
The woman accusing Goldstein of attempted rape gave her testimony before the Philadelphia Municipal Court at a preliminary hearing on July 19, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The current Temple student testified that Goldstein assaulted her on Feb. 25 in his bedroom in the fraternity house, the Inquirer reported. The woman added that she felt "helpless" during the 30-minute assault. According to The Temple News, Goldstein had locked the bedroom door.
In her testimony, the woman added that, despite attempting multiple times to resist Goldstein’s unwanted advances and escape the room, the defendant grabbed her wrists and pinned her down to his couch in an attempt to forcefully kiss her, according to The Temple News and The Inquirer. He then attempted to force her to perform oral sex.
After hearing the female student’s testimony, Municipal Court Judge Lydia Kirkland held Goldstein on charges of unlawful restraint, attempted sexual assault, attempted rape, intimidation of a witness, indecent assault, simple assault, and false imprisonment, according to The Temple News.
After the hearing, Goldstein’s defense attorney Perry Demarco issued multiple statements to the press outside the courthouse, claiming that there was “no crime done” in regards to the pending charges, and that Goldstein “did nothing wrong,” The Temple News reported.
Goldstein's formal arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 2.
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