A Michigan judge ruled to dismiss third-degree sexual assault charges against a minor league pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. According to the judge, prosecutors did not meet the burden of probable cause while presenting evidence and testimony from the alleged victim. The judge commented that he might have doubts about the witness’ credibility, and he did not believe all of her testimony.
The alleged criminal sexual conduct took place in March while the pitcher was in a hotel room at the Motor City Casino with a 45-year-old woman. The minor league player and at least one other team member had met the woman and her friend at a bar in Royal Oak. During their testimony, the two women suggested that drinks they had consumed on the night in question might have been laced with drugs.
Although the alleged victim claimed she did not know that the defendant was a player for the Tigers on the night she met him, text messages she sent that night proved otherwise. Footage from a surveillance camera showed the woman falling outside of the casino. Hours later, the woman was seen on another surveillance camera walking down six flights of stairs without stumbling while wearing high heels.
In addition to a substantial prison sentence, conviction for a sexual assault charge may result in life-altering consequences such as having to register on a public sex offender list and wear a GPS tracking bracelet. Rather than working out a reduced sentence with a plea deal, individuals facing this type of charge might prefer to have the charge dismissed. An attorney may be able to help a defendant to accomplish this goal by countering each piece of evidence that is presented by the prosecution.
Source: MLive, “Judge dismisses sexual assault charges against Detroit Tigers minor league pitcher Evan Reed”, Khalil AlHajal, August 21, 2014
Source: MLive, “Judge dismisses sexual assault charges against Detroit Tigers minor league pitcher Evan Reed”, Khalil AlHajal, August 21, 2014
