[News] Patrick Kane being investigated for rape. UPD: DA announces no charges

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Itse

Considering that it's exactly what the vast majority of all rape victims do, that's a really odd thing to say.

I dont think so. I'm not talking about people who never say anything, I'm talking about people who press charges, go for prosecution and have settlement negotiations.

Do victims get to this point and then just walk away? Is that what the vast majority of victims do?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Locke

I get that, and that makes total sense. But without any more information what we're seeing here is someone who accused someone of rape without sufficient evidence without consequence.

This is where the rubber hits the road and you get people wondering if she was getting into him for money or even just throwing crap at the wall to see what sticks.

Its hard to believe that the person who was allegedly raped is the one walking away.

Victims don't weight the evidence when they make their accusations. They expect they will be believed.

And yes, while it may be hard to believe, walking away happens to "real" victims all the time, when they realize they can be put through a trial and still not get anywhere. And when it appears to them that the cops/prosecution either don't care or side with the accused.

Who knows what happened here? But I don't think one can make a conclusion based on the victim giving up.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Victims don't weight the evidence when they make their accusations. They expect they will be believed.

And yes, while it may be hard to believe, walking away happens to "real" victims all the time, when they realize they can be put through a trial and still not get anywhere. And when it appears to them that the cops/prosecution either don't care or side with the accused.

Who knows what happened here? But I don't think one can make a conclusion based on the victim giving up.

I'm not using her walking away to generate any conclusions. I'm not generating any conclusions at all. At the end of the day we know exactly what we knew to start the day. Nothing.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Locke

I'm not using her walking away to generate any conclusions. I'm not generating any conclusions at all. At the end of the day we know exactly what we knew to start the day. Nothing.

Well except you're saying that there should be consequences for her being unable to prove she was raped, when that's pretty much what happens in the majority of rape cases. If she didn't see a conviction as likely, it's pretty hard to blame her for not wanting to relive the whole ordeal under cross-examination.

[jayswin]

Unfortunately, this will be another case that reinforces the stigma against reporting cases of rape. I say unfortunately regardless of what actually happened here.

Whether she was telling the truth and went up against a powerful legal team and couldn't make it through or is lying and was fully willing to destroy someone's life for personal gain, both outcomes unfortunately get chalked up as another notch in the "Better to just stay quiet if you've been raped" column.

What a terrible situation all around.

[HotHotHeat]

Has her identity ever come out? Can't recall it happening...

[zamler]

Her identity is out there.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Whether she was telling the truth and went up against a powerful legal team and couldn't make it through or is lying and was fully willing to destroy someone's life for personal gain, both outcomes unfortunately get chalked up as another notch in the "Better to just stay quiet if you've been raped" column.

What a terrible situation all around.

If she was telling the truth then its tragic that she doesn't get justice. If she was lieing I think there is some positive (at Kanes expense unforunately). If it deters other false accusations then I think some good has come of this. The settlements are really the most damaging. They promote false accusations as well as rapists having a get out of jail free card. Ideally I'd like to see the liar in jail but if it wasn't going to trial I'm glad there wasn't a settlement.

[Weitz]

I don't know what the answer is.

But I think this sucks for both the alleged victim and for Kane.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by Hackey

If she was telling the truth then its tragic that she doesn't get justice. If she was lieing I think there is some positive (at Kanes expense unforunately). If it deters other false accusations then I think some good has come of this. The settlements are really the most damaging. They promote false accusations as well as rapists having a get out of jail free card. Ideally I'd like to see the liar in jail but if it wasn't going to trial I'm glad there wasn't a settlement.

I think I get where you're going here, but to me if it deters victims from coming forward all good has been undone.

I agree with jayswin...no good has come from this situation.

[Huntingwhale]

Rape sucks

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Yamer

I think I get where you're going here, but to me if it deters victims from coming forward all good has been undone.

I agree with jayswin...no good has come from this situation.

Yep. I agree. Just tragedy all around.

[sureLoss]

DA officially closes the case without pressing any charges:

Spoiler!

Biggest things:
Other witnesses have inconsistency with the accuser's story
DNA does not corroborate story
Physical evidence contradicts accuser's story

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Well. That's that then. Now we can all move on with our lives.

Cue 7 pages of discussion about legal system, rape victims, and celebrity criminals.

[thefoss1957]

We certainly never will know the whole truth of the event...even while avoiding criminal charges, Kane has been penalized, losing endorsement money and the like (Scratched from NHL 16 promotions, for example)...and it will take time, if ever, for the stigma of the accusation to be forgiven by the media and general public that would allow him back to the gravy train that is endorsement money.

The lack of a rush to sanction, by the League, and by the 'Hawks, though heavily criticized by some fans and media, appears to have been the fair, and correct course to have taken.

Many famous athletes were reprehensible humans, and still maintained their fame (see Cobb, Tyrus,...Anson, Adrian, et.al.)... at this point, Kane appears to have been guilty of poor judgment, as immaturity was his sin with the cabbie incident, and criticism for that is fair, but, the legal system will NOT, at this point, label him a "rapist".

On to discussing the guy as a "Hockey Player"...

[Lanny'sDaMan]

I think the most damning line in that press release is the line "and this so called 'case' is rife with reasonable doubt." The strength of language there really jumps out at me, as I wouldn't expect such an... emotional wording in a document of this nature. Especially the quotes around the word case.

[Blarg]

What the mother was thinking, pulling the paper bag test kit hoax I will never know or understand.

[Weitz]

Any lawyers wanna chime in on how a civil suit would proceed in light of the recent developments? Could she still potentially have a case?

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Any lawyers wanna chime in on how a civil suit would proceed in light of the recent developments? Could she still potentially have a case?

She has essentially been called a "liar" if you read between the lines, so I think any civil case would be hopeless. The fact that her civil lawyer fired her tells you all you need to know.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

I think the most damning line in that press release is the line "and this so called 'case' is rife with reasonable doubt." The strength of language there really jumps out at me, as I wouldn't expect such an... emotional wording in a document of this nature. Especially the quotes around the word case.

I was thinking the exact same thing. That line didnt really seem to fit.