HER daughter was attacked. She lost her job. Her house was burnt down. But Melinda Coleman has spoken out in defence of the people of Maryville.

Melinda Coleman today declared in an open letter: "We would just like everyone to know that Maryville is NOT a terrible town. We love so many people there and really were happy there until 1-9-12. Some families there are truly great friends!!!"

The letter comes as media, activists and concerned citizens converge on the rural Missouri town for a morning protest outside the courthouse which represents the heart of a community that has become the centre of a worldwide social media storm.

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It is the latest act in a drama that began in March last year when charges were suddenly dropped against the boys at the heart of an alleged rape case – despite the Sheriff having declared he was “absolutely” certain of convictions.

"I do NOT condone violence in our defence," the victim's mother writes.

" I don't want others terrorised as we have been. I want everyone to have peace."

But Melinda went on to detail exactly why she fled with her daughter, Daisy, and sons.

"We would have stayed if there was a fair investigation and I had felt my children could be safe. I left for fear for our safety from the family that thinks it's a little mafia... their threats were very violent."

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Protesters - spurred on by internet "hacktivist" group Anonymous and a bevvy of rights organisations - come with firm ideas fixed in their heads:

Daisy Coleman was a 14-year-old freshman at her new school, Maryville High School, in 2012.

Late one January night she and a 13-year-old friend, Paige, had been drinking before being invited to a secret house party at the home of Matthew Barnett.

Barnett, at 17-year-old football player and grandson of a local Republican powerbroker, confessed to engaging in a sex act after giving the intoxicated girl even more alcohol - but insisted it was consensual.

Charges against him and an alleged co-conspirator were suddenly dropped by the local Republican prosecutor, allegedly before all evidence had been presented and because the girls' parents were not cooperating.

An un-named 15-year-old has since faced the juvenile justice system after admitting he had sex with Paige after being told "no" multiple times.

A district judge overnight appointed Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker (a Democrat) to review the handling of the charges. In the United States, key legal officials have political loyalties and are elected to office.

With tensions running high, Melinda Coleman has sought to restore some balance to the debate.

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"Our horrible experience included a few bad ones that just aggressively went after us and some people in power that didn't do their job or protect us," She wrote.

"(But) a lot of people did support as much as they were able. To those people I am so grateful! And to the people who tried to defend us but were also terrorized and threatened - I'm sorry you suffered for us but I love you dearly for trying to help us."

Mrs Coleman asked protesters to quietly express their feelings by carrying daisies.

But she had no such sentiment towards the family of the boy who allegedly attacked her daughter.

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"I also believe that having only Matt Barnett's mother speak at the press conferences after Sheriff White and Robert Rice, the Prosecuting attorney, clearly illustrates the connection of their family and the powers to be," she wrote.

"It was a press release ... not a pep rally!"