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Vanderbilt police have not answered questions about hospital sexual-battery case
Jerry W. Christopher was arrested Oct. 11 at Vanderbilt Medical Center and charged with sexual battery without consent, aggravated criminal trespassing and resisting a police stop, according to Metro Nashville police. Vanderbilt University, the medical center and campus police had not explained what steps they are taking to prevent similar incidents, as of Oct. 27.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A man arrested at Vanderbilt Medical Center on Oct. 11 faces charges of sexual battery without consent, aggravated criminal trespassing and resisting a police stop, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.
Police identified the man as Jerry W. Christopher. The available information does not describe the alleged incident or explain how Christopher entered the building.
Questions about access and prevention remain unanswered. In the two weeks after the arrest, requests for information were directed among Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Vanderbilt University Police Department, without an explanation of what measures the department is taking to prevent a recurrence.
The inquiry also sought details about how Christopher was inside the facility, given the trespassing charge. After email and phone requests, a reporter visited the VUPD precinct and was again referred to the university.
The information provided does not establish Christopher’s guilt. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Vanderbilt and its police department had not provided a response about prevention measures by Oct. 27.