Professor Won’t Be Charged With Sexual Assault Ewu Instructor Accused By Two Women Of Forcing Himself On Them Off Campus

An Eastern Washington University professor accused of sexually assaulting two students will not be charged with a crime.

There is not enough evidence to bring charges against William Daniel Perdue, a sociology professor, Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Dawn Cortez said in a written statement Thursday.

Two women complained to university police last month that Perdue forced himself on them sexually during separate incidents in March and April. Both incidents occurred off campus.

One woman said Perdue had intercourse with her against her will, said Lt. Tom McGill of the university police. The other claimed Perdue fondled her, McGill said.

Both women said they had been drinking at the time.

Neither woman reported the incidents at the time they occurred, and neither had a sexual assault examination, Cortez said in her statement.

Sheriff’s detectives who investigated the accusations didn’t believe there was probable cause to charge Perdue, who was never arrested, Cortez added.

After nearly three weeks of review, prosecutors agreed.

“… The state would be required to prove that Professor Perdue either had sexual intercourse or sexual contact with the women by forcible compulsion, or while each was incapacitated (unconscious) through intoxication,” Cortez wrote.

Further details of the case have not been made public.

The names of the women have not been released by authorities. At least one of them was taking a class from Perdue at the time of the alleged misconduct, according to Dale Lindekugel, sociology department chairman.

Perdue on Thursday referred questions to his attorney, Carl Hueber, who issued a written statement in which he praised the prosecutor’s decision.

“I trust that one of the factors in their decision was the fact that Dr. Perdue voluntarily took and passed a polygraph examination,” Hueber stated.

Hueber also stated his client would cooperate with any university inquiry into the case.

EWU spokeswoman Stefanie Pettit said Thursday that Edmund Yarwood, dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, now will review the matter.

“It’s his call as to whether there may be some cause to pursue this internally,” Pettit said.

Perdue, 52 and a professor at Eastern since 1969, has voluntarily agreed to stay off campus until Yarwood decides what to do, she said. His classes are being taught by other professors.

Perdue, who makes about $51,000 per year, is still being paid.

, DataTimes