Another high-profile rape accusation falls apart

Chicago Blackhawks ice hockey star Patrick Kane will not face criminal charges over a rape accusation made against him earlier this year.

Prosecutors in the case cited "significant material inconsistencies" between what the accuser said and what other witnesses said.

"The totality of the credible evidence — the proof — does not sufficiently substantiate the complainant's allegation that she was raped by Patrick Kane and this so-called 'case' is rife with reasonable doubt," District Attorney Frank Sedita III said in a statement on Thursday.

The district attorney won't even convene a grand jury to hear the evidence collected during a three-month investigation. Part of the reason the case will not go to the grand jury is that DNA evidence contradicted the woman's allegation.

The woman claimed she was raped by Kane in his home this past summer, and while Kane's DNA was found on the woman's shoulders and in her fingernails, it was not found on her underwear or genitals. There was, however, DNA from other men found.

The case also took a hit when the mother of the accuser claimed to have found an evidence bag on her doorstep containing her daughter's rape kit. After widespread reporting that the case was being badly mishandled by investigators, the prosecutor determined the discovery to be an "elaborate hoax." After the hoax, the accuser's lawyer withdrew from the case because he no longer believed the mother's story.

Earlier this week, the accuser decided to stop cooperating with the investigation, citing "stress." Had the DNA evidence (and perhaps other evidence not presented to the press) worked in her favor, her cooperation wouldn't have been necessary.

The accuser in this case may still file a civil lawsuit against Kane. It is unclear whether she will be charged with filing a false accusation.

Kane had a reputation for being a partier. Mark my words, this will be used to blame him for the accusation.

It's always interesting to see the "victim-blaming" label applied to those making accusations of sexual assault, but not to those who may have been falsely accused.

Read more at: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/another-high-profile-rape-accusation-falls-apart/article/2575738