Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane will not be charged with rape, prosecutors announced today.
There will be no charges against Kane, following a three-month investigation after a 21-year-old woman claimed Kane raped her in his New York home. The three-month case took a bizarre turn back in late September when an evidence bag was found by the accuser’s mother. Her lawyer went public with the information but soon resigned from the case after believing there was a fabrication by the mother about the story, although he publicly stated he believed the accuser was telling the truth.
The report cited inconsistencies between accounts of witnesses and the accuser, DNA evidence didn’t back up the story, evidence contradicted she wasn’t raped on Kane’s bed, and Kane hasn’t made any statements that have been incriminating.
Here are some details from the report:
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. Accordingly, the Office of the Erie County District Attorney will not present this matter to an Erie County Grand Jury.
A confidential correspondence has been sent to the Town Hamburg Police Chief (with copies forwarded to legal counsel for the complainant and Mr. Kane), setting forth in greater detail the investigative findings and the reasons for the decision not to criminally prosecute this matter.
This puts an end to the saga. Kane hasn’t officially commented on the outcome.