- His Word Against Theirs Edward Duncan
One day last fall, some of Nashville's most influential people received an email from Townes Duncan, describing how his son had been indicted for child rape and sexual battery.
The story was on the evening news, saying only that Edward Duncan, then 18, was free on $150,000 bond. Townes didn't like what he was hearing.
The former white-shoe attorney, who now owns a stake in SouthComm, owner of The City Paper, wanted his friends to know the details. "Since all you have heard is a charge of rape," he wrote, "I think you deserve more information."
When he hit send, the message was delivered to a who's who of elite Nashville. What he didn't mention is that the charges had come from rival elites: the three young daughters of Patrick and Phillipa "Pip" Keeble. They're part of a longstanding Nashville family with deep ties to the old L&C Insurance Company—formerly one of the area's major corporate entities.
So began the skirmish over Edward Duncan, whose odyssey has taken him from a Russian orphanage to Belle Meade society to accused sex offender charged with violating small girls in one of Nashville's most expensive zip codes.
On the muggy evening of July 23, 2007, Townes and Ellen Duncan invited the Keebles over for dinner at their home on Cheek Road, just off Highway 100. It's a lovely, leafy neighborhood filled with luxury cars and children romping across broad green lawns, their faces scrubbed with that Ivory-clean look of wealth and privilege. The Duncans had moved in while their Green Hills residence was being remodeled. Townes' email describes a pleasant evening of new neighbors getting to know each other.
After dinner, the three Keeble girls—ages 5 to 7—went to the backyard to eat ice pops. Nightfall had come to Cheek Road, and a nearly full moon hung in the sky. Mounted floodlights illuminated the yard, which is overlooked by a bank of windows in the home's rear.
When the girls finished dessert, they asked Edward to help them catch fireflies. About 10 minutes later, wrote Townes, his wife Ellen checked on them. She soon returned with a report that "a happy firefly hunt was in progress."
Soon, "all four parents went outside and found the three girls playing happily, clamoring for Edward to give them piggy back rides." The evening seemed to end as amicably as it began.
But a month later, word came that something vile had taken place in the backyard that night. One of the Keeble daughters alleged that Edward exposed himself and asked the girls to "touch their mouths to his genital area and that all three complied," Townes wrote. "The other two daughters later supported this story."
The accusations would add a dark new chapter to Edward's rags-to-riches story.
Edward's upbringing wasn't typical Belle Meade. He was born in Russia to alcoholic parents, then abandoned to an orphanage along with his two younger sisters.
The Duncans first heard of his plight in church. The sisters were being adopted by a Tennessee couple who couldn't take in a third child. The then 13-year-old Edward would be left behind in Russia.
The Duncans decided to adopt him on the spot.
According to an email circulated by Ellen Duncan, Edward weighed just 77 pounds when he arrived in the U.S. He was held back in school due to differences in the Russian education system. But over time, he would blossom to an average American teen.
His is a story seemingly fit for the fairytale genre: a poor, neglected villager shepherded off to a shiny new land of wealth by a loving family.
So Ellen was jarred that day last fall when the Keebles arrived at her door with accusations that her son was a pervert. "They definitely played what I called that night 'the orphan card,' " she writes. "...[T]hey made assumptions about him because he has had a different past—not the affluent Belle Meade-bubble upbringing—and from that, made the assumption that there must be something in his past that would presume guilt."
This wasn't the Edward she knew. "...[B]ecause of his resilience and ability to adapt and move forward, he is a better, more courageous person than most adults I know."
He will need every ounce of that courage for the legal travails ahead. Shortly after the Keebles informed the Duncans of the accusations, Edward was arrested and charged with violating the three girls.
Neither family would consent to interviews with the Scene, and the county clerk's office says that documents related to the case are unavailable, since Judge Monte Watkins is reviewing motions.
But Townes writes that his son "categorically denies that any such thing—or any impropriety of any kind—occurred." He claims that it is impossible to believe that Edward could have performed such a brazen act in an "easily observable" place with all four parents so close at hand.
A grand jury didn't see it that way. Edward was indicted on one count of statutory rape, two counts of child rape and three counts of aggravated sexual battery.
Due to his friendship with Duncan, District Attorney Torry Johnson has recused his office from the case, naming former Williamson County District Attorney Joe Baugh as special prosecutor. Baugh could not be reached for comment.
A trial is set to begin on Sept. 29, but sources say both sides would like to reach a settlement before that day arrives.
If that occurs, we may never know what happened in the backyard that night. All that's left is the word of one well-connected family against another. Whether either side finds justice is very much an open question.
Comments (21)
Showing 1-21 of 21
It warrants keeping in mind that any competent prosecutor can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich for the murder of the pig. Any time an indictment is not returned it is because the district attorney's office, for whatever reason, wants to drop the charge. I.e., smoke does not equate to fire.
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Oh yes, "that Ivory-clean look of wealth and privilege". Everyone knows that look. Is the author implying the brand of soap? I hope this is so, because I will not abide comparison between the faces of children and dead elephant parts. We have truly fallen on hard times when our social betters are scrubbing with Ivory, no? Hats off to hands-off editing! Keep 'em coming. That sentence jarred me right out of wasting a minute more reading the article.
"... both sides would like to reach a settlement before that day [a trial] arrives." The elite play and are governed by different rules than are the commoners: Common people have no choice whether to go to trial or not as "the people" (euphemism for "the government")can pursue a prosecution in spite of the wishes of the alleged victim(s). A [financial] settlement, which is likely the reason for the bringing of the charges in the first place, will make it all go away. Funny how this charge seems to be used more and more as a tool of manipulation for wealth-seekers and custody-seeking mothers in a divorce. Makes one wonder if it's being (or been) used by certain government entities to silence dissidents and whistle-blowers. Maybe someone should investigate.
"... both sides would like to reach a settlement before that day [a trial] arrives." Interesting in one sense that this editorial comment by PJ Tobia was even made in light of it's patent inaccuracy. ONE side would very much like for this whole situation to go away. This was made plain by an email campaign "throughout town," the crux of which was: "he couldn't have done this, because he's a member of OUR family and our son is not like that..." Does one suspect that Julian Ramirez and Mercedes Munoz suspected their son Richard was capable of such things? I HOPE this is the point. If the accused has done these things, he needs help and treatment so it doesn't happen again. Despite what some may think, I believe neither the alleged victims' nor the accused families want for money. Another thought: if these circumstances happened in 37206, 37214, etc. would there be back-door comments about conspiracy and soft indictments, or concern for the accused and the young alleged victims and a drive to uncover the truth? Unfortunate bias evident in both the reporting and comments. Liberty and Justice for All...
"... both sides would like to reach a settlement before that day [a trial] arrives." Interesting in one sense that this editorial comment by PJ Tobia was even made in light of it's patent inaccuracy. ONE side would very much like for this whole situation to go away. This was made plain by an email campaign "throughout town," the crux of which was: "he couldn't have done this, because he's a member of OUR family and our son is not like that..." Does one suspect that Julian Ramirez and Mercedes Munoz suspected their son Richard was capable of such things? I HOPE this is the point. If the accused has done these things, he needs help and treatment so it doesn't happen again. Despite what some may think, I believe neither the alleged victims' nor the accused families want for money. Another thought: if these circumstances happened in 37206, 37214, etc. would there be back-door comments about conspiracy and soft indictments, or concern for the accused and the young alleged victims and a drive to uncover the truth? Unfortunate bias evident in both the reporting and comments. Liberty and Justice for All...
I was one of the people who received Townes Duncan's e-mail. I don't consider myself particularly influential, but I do know the Duncans, and I know Edward. I also know the other family, mainly by reputation. I thought Townes Duncan's e-mail did a better job of describing this awful situation that your article did. I think it would be helpful to your readers to read the whole thing. I have retyped the whole e-mail below. I hope I have avoided typos, and if not, I apologize. There weren't any typos in the original. Dear Friends, The indictment of my son Edward has received widespread publicity, but without any detail of the factual allegations. Since all you have heard is a charge of rape, I think you deserve more information. The allegations, as they were described to us directly by the girls’ parents and those facts that we personally know, are as follows: On the evening of July 23, Ellen and I hosted our new neighbors and their three young daughters for dinner at our home. Neither Ellen nor Edward nor I had ever before met the daughters. After dinner, the girls’ mother sent them out on our deck to eat their popsicle desserts. When they finished, the girls asked Edward to help them catch fireflies in our back yard, which is quite small and shallow (roughly 35 feet deep), enclosed by a picket fence, very well-lighted (with outdoor lights as well as lights from the house, all of which were on), and is overlooked by large windows in our den and dining room where all four parents were visiting. The entire back of our house is very open and exposed. In addition, there was a nearly full moon and all activity in the back yard was easily visible to anyone who stepped outside the house. The children were outside for about twenty minutes, in the middle of which Ellen went out and reported to us that a happy firefly hunt was in progress. Ten minutes later all four parents went outside and found the three girls playing happily, clamoring for Edward to give them piggy back rides. Our neighbors and their daughters then went home. In late August, a month after the July 23 dinner, the youngest daughter alleged for the first time that, while they were catching fireflies, Edward (who, remember, had never before met or even seen the girls) exposed himself and suggested that the three girls touch their mouths to his genital area, and that all three complied. The other two daughters later supported this story. Edward categorically denies that any such thing—or any impropriety of any kind—occurred. The claim against Edward, then, is that within a ten minute period he moved from supervising a happy firefly hunt to a breathtakingly brazen advance, made in an easily observable public place simultaneously to three little girls he had never seen before, in close proximity to all four parents, and all three girls complied with his request, after which the entire group went back to catching fireflies. We find these allegations literally unbelievable. Ellen and I have had a unique opportunity to observe our son’s character intimately. We categorically believe him and look forward to his complete vindication. The apparent rush to judgment and seeming reliance on predjudicial preconceptions in this case are reminiscent of the recent Duke lacrosse case. However, this tragic situation most reminds me of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Edward and we have received many heartfelt expressions of support for which we are deeply grateful. We are blessed with many wonderful friends. Please keep Edward and us in your thoughts and prayers. Please also keep the little girls in your thoughts and prayers. That's the e-mail that I received last September. I think it speaks for itself. I will add only that I know lots of people who know the families involved and who know about this matter. I do not know one person who believes a word of these ridiculous charges.
My family met Edward Duncan in the spring of 2003 just a few weeks after he arrived in Nashville. We did not know the Duncan’s personally at that time, but our son soon became close friends with Edward. I have had the pleasure of watching this young man grow, develop, and interact with my family and others within the community. Edward is a resilient young man with the highest character. I can say without reservation that Edward has never displayed any behavior that remotely resembles that with which he has been charged. The fact that someone can make false allegations of this magnitude is frightening. There has been a rush to judgment in this case and the facts just do not add up. The citizens of this county should be concerned. We all should expect a higher level of professionalism from the District Attorney’s office and the police force. I have hope that the justice system will exonerate Edward on all counts. One more thought, a prosecutor is suppose to seek justice not convictions.
Your article is wrong on an important point. When the Duncans adopted Edward his sisters had ALREADY BEEN ADOPTED one year earlier.The important point is that, under Russian law Edward had to give his permission to this adoption and (as a 12 year old boy ) he did so willingly, in order to give his sisters a chance at a better life - even though he knew it might meant he would never see them again, and would be alone in the world with very little chance of being adopted at his age. The Duncan's lived in Green Hills on Sneed Road for 4 years with Edward. There are lots of children of all ages in surrounding homes. There was never any problem of any kind! I've been told by people familiar with THE FACTS that after the firefly hunt the girls were happy and showed no discomfort with Edward. In fact, they didn't want to leave the Duncan home that night - I've heard they asked to stay and watch a movie and even if they could spend the night! Over the 30 day period after that evening, the Keeble girls and their nanny visited the Duncan's home ( without an invitation ) at least twice, bringing a cake one time and flowers another. Hardly the actions of children who had been traumatized at THIS residence. I know the Duncan family. I know Edward. He is a wonderful young man who had to grow up and mature at a very young age. The allegations are ridiculous and I don't know a soul who believes them. The injustice that's been done to Edward is just horrible. He came to America for a better life and he's been treated worse than if he'd stayed in Russia. It's just pitiful and disgusting - and I wonder what's really going on in the Keeble house.
He plead guilty today. Any more questions? Why would someone who was sooooo innocent, who had 6 lawyers defending him, plead guilty to something so heinous? Even if he avoided jail, etc., if you are innocent and the facts are so overwhelmingly on your side...why in the world would you plea it out and admit guilt? God bless the Keebles for exhibiting character, patience, and integrity throughout this ordeal. Their refusal to defend or even acknowledge the e-mails and propaganda the Duncan's tried to spread throughout this situation is exemplary and shows class beyond comparison.
The Duncans failed to learn a lesson and should be painfully ashamed of themselves. Together with their son, they should seek counseling. First, they sent out a letter identifying the victims of their son's heinous crimes in an effort to humiliate and intimidate them. (Even if the accusations weren't true -- which we now know they were -- why identify three little girls, each under the age of 7? The Duncans request to "keep the little girls in your thoughts and prayers" smacked of hypocrisy.) Over the next year, the little girls are interviewed separately and on many occassions. Their testimony never waivers. On the eve of the trial, and at the urging of his lawyers who were presented with the evidence against their client, Edward Duncan confesses to his crimes in exchange for a sentence which avoids jail time. The Duncans must have been dumbstruck. So what do they do? They send out another letter saying their son was completely innocent but will be on probation and his record may be expunged whenever probation is over. Innocent but on probation with a criminal record? Do the Duncans really believe that the people of their privileged community are so naive as to believe this? The people of Nashville -- including those that live in 37205 and send their children to Ensworth and the like -- should demand an investigation of this settlement of a confession which avoids jail time for Edward Duncan. It smells of Mr. Duncan's long-standing friendship with the district attorney's office. The Duncan's and their friends want you to believe the Keebles have problems. They should look in the mirror. Did they stop to consider that the son they love may have been sexually abused while in his Russian orphanage. Or that he saw his sisters abused? The Duncans now have a chance to help their son without having to visit him in jail. They should focus on doing so. They should also apologize to the Keeble family who has exhibited real class by refusing to stoop to the Duncan's level.
It's not my job to address the lies and libel in the preceding two posts, but I'll wade in to set a few things straight: >>He plead guilty today.
Something in the system cut off most of my post about the lies and libel in comments # 9 & 10. I'll try again soon if the many others who know the truth have not already done the job. The basics: * The special prosecutor decided he had no case worth putting in front of a jury. * Edward has admitted no misbehavior of any kind, and insists nothing happened. * The deal simply requires Edward not to get in trouble for the next two years, without requiring him to admit to any wrongdoing or accept any punishment. * He and his family were ready to go to trial this week, putting his fate in the hands of 12 jurors who could put him away for 75 years. The prosecutor decided at the last minute to offer a deal -- not complete exoneration (which would have been the right thing to do), but a plea deal with no legal consequences for Edward. What family wouldn't take that slightly bitter bargain?
Lies and libel Atticus? Really reaching for something to hold onto aren't you! Let me explain to you reality: the prosecutor offered the deal so that the three girls wouldn't have to go through this trial and/or the "Duncan's media/propaganda" campaign. He offered Edward the deal because Edward and the Duncans both knew he had a solid case and was going to win, especially after the testimony of ALL THREE GIRLS! The prosecutor exemplified class, something that you and the Duncans are both unfamiliar with. Atticus, you have a serious character flaw if you feel the Duncan's were wronged in some fashion. You have a real personality dificiency if you feel that 3 different adolescents all conspired to put themselves, their family, and their community under a microscope and actually choose to go through something like this if it weren't true. You should be as ashamed as the Duncans for your blindness. We'll see how Edward does in the next two years and on...
Townes and family... Now YOU know how it feels to have your child accused of being a pervert and know that his life will NEVER be the same.
IF he did that to those girls, he needs help, but RAPE and BATTERY and to be labeled a sex offender for the rest of his life?? C'mon! The sentence was far to stiff, especially for a young man of his age.
I can see why you would think that being from that area, but believe me, any sentence that he received is not as agonizing as being branded a pervert by this particular group.. You all are so very isolated and oblivious to the way the rest of the world thinks, acts and well....lives. Sorry if I sound harsh, but it is what it is.
I also wanted to add that it's nice that Townes Duncan does have the wealth, power and influence to feel comfortable enough to send out an e mail to ANYONE concerning this matter. If he were just an average "Joe", my guess is that he'd have attorneys surrounding him in a split second. BUT, noone can touch him because of his wealth and power within the community. It's sad.
Also, I personally know of other families within this community who were LEGALLY prevented from circulating ANYTHING let alone an email, to defend their children against certain accusations. They were prevented by Townes and his legal team as well as the other institutions associated with Mr. Duncan and his business dealings. They were prohibited from even DISCUSSING the accusations let alone trying to defend their children in writing. I think that needed to be said. These accusations were not even CLOSE to what Edward was accused of. AMAZING how things come around!!!
I believe the THREE girls. It doesn't matter that the kid is an "orphan," doesn't matter at all. That's irrelevant. Hope the THREE girls get justice. Little Russian pervert. He's male - it doesn't matter where he comes from. Perry March is a murderer. And he came from a good family. So, Elitist Duncan's, who don't want to admit that their adopted kid could be a sex offender, what's your point? Get real.
I believe the THREE girls. It doesn't matter that the kid is an "orphan," doesn't matter at all. Hope the THREE girls get justice. Little Russian pervert. He's male - it doesn't matter where he comes from. Perry March is a murderer. And he came from a good family. So, what's your point, Elitist Duncan's?
Edward Duncan, its not just a smart guy, he is a wonderful loving person. Obviously, The other Family with the girls realized that Edwards family had money and thought they would get money out of it and put there children threw non sense to get money and all the did was get a innocent person in trouble. you all may think what you want but Edward Duncan is far from a rapist. He's a great person and thats what you should know
