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The investigation surrounding the rape accusation against Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane might be coming to an end when the accuser announced she no longer wishes to cooperate on the case.
The Buffalo News reported that the woman, who accused Kane of rape three months ago, has told authorities that she will end her cooperation in the case due to the tremendous amount of stress the high-profile situation has given her and her family.
The woman has spoken with the Erie County District Attorney’s Office and has already signed paperwork, an ‘affidavit declining prosecution’, that states she is ending her cooperation with the prosecution and requests that the charges be dropped.
The District Attorney in Erie County, Frank A. Sedita, is considering the paperwork and is ultimately responsible for deciding the next step in the investigation. While Sedita can still press charges and pursue the case, it will be very difficult for the case to progress without the cooperation of the alleged victim.
The case opened in August after the woman reported the attack, which she said took place in Kane’s home in Erie County. Police pursued the investigation and collected evidence from the alleged victim and from Kane’s home.
Despite evidence collected, including a rape kit from the alleged victim’s evaluation in the Erie County Medical Center, the case was never completely solid. News came out on Sept. 19 that the DNA evidence did not confirm the alleged victim’s rape accusation.
Sedita said in a press conference on Sept. 25 that the alleged victim’s mother had attempted to frame a ‘hoax’ by claiming the police had improperly handled evidence when they, as she claimed, left the rape kit evidence bag in her home.
Despite the release of this news nothing further will be announced until Sedita returns from vacation and decides whether or not he will pursue the charges brought against Kane, though, without the alleged victim’s cooperation in the case it will be difficult for prosecutors to continue to pursue charges.
