News

Actions

Witnesses testify in Mateen Cleaves sexual assault preliminary hearing

Posted
and last updated

There was more testimony on Wednesday during the preliminary examination of Mateen Cleaves. He is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in September last year. 

Coleen Dowdall testified that she was staying a few doors down from Cleaves.  She heard a commotion outside her room, looked, and saw Cleaves and a woman naked.  They appeared to have a disagreement.  She at first called the motel to complain.

The drama continued outside her door.  Eventually she let the woman in her room called police.

“She just kept crying,” said Dowdall.

Dawdle testified that the 24-year-old woman never explicitly said she was raped, but did say she “couldn’t fight him off.”

The testimony came during a hearing where a judge reviews evidence and testimony and decides whether there should be a trial. 

The preliminary examination is expected to continue at least through Friday in Genesee County Court.