It was announced that prosecutors will not seek charges of rape against Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane due to a lack of evidence.
ESPN noted that Erie County, New York, District Attorney Frank Sedita said that no charges will be brought against Kane as there is a lack of “credible evidence” and his accuser is unwilling to continue to cooperate.
"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," Sedita said in a statement.
As we previously reported, Kane became the subject of the investigation last August after a 21-year-old woman claimed she was raped by the hockey star in Hamburg, New York. The 26-year-old athlete denied the allegations before he and the Blackhawks declined to comment further while the investigation was being conducted.
However, when the news broke that he would not be charged, he and the team both released statements regarding the prosecutor’s decision.
“I have repeatedly said that I did nothing wrong. I have respected the legal process and I am glad that this matter has now been closed and I will have nothing further to say going forward,” Kane’s statement read.
And the Blackhawks statement released via the team’s website said, “We respect the announcement today by the Erie County (N.Y.) District Attorney regarding Patrick Kane. The Chicago Blackhawks organization has taken this matter very seriously, and has tried to navigate a very sensitive situation while continually respecting the legal proceedings. At this time we will have no further comment.”