NigerianDonDada
FFOE
Flint — A judge ruled there was not sufficient probable cause to bind former Michigan State University basketball star Mateen Cleaves over to stand trial on rape charges.
“There is insufficient evidence on charge,” Judge Cathy Dowd of 67th District Court ruled Monday. “This case is dismissed.”
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement that it will appeal the decision.
Defense attorney Frank Manley described the case outside court as a “he said-she said-she said-she said-she said” case of rape that “just didn’t happen.” He said there were too many inconsistencies.
His arm draped around his wife and surrounded by family and friends, Cleaves left Flint District Court eager to regain his reputation.
“I’m just happy,” he told reporters, “to walk away from this a free man. I’m thankful for my wife, family and friends standing beside me and for a lawyer to fight for my life as if I was his own son.”
Manley didn’t call any witnesses in the fifth and final day of the hearing. His client faced charges of unlawful imprisonment, assault with intent to commit criminal sexual penetration, second-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. He had pleaded not guilty.
Manley had asked Dowd on Friday to dismiss the charges against Cleaves, 39, saying the charges are “baseless” and the prosecution hasn’t proven its case.
In a statement released Monday evening, Manley said: “We are thrilled that justice was served. We were confident that the facts of the case would allow justice to prevail.
“Four police officers on the scene determined no assault or crime had been committed and the complainant also stated, ‘I was not assaulted’ on the night of the event. It just didn’t add up. Judge Dowd’s ruling is supported by all the evidence and facts presented.”
A Mount Morris woman in her mid-20s has said Cleaves sexually assaulted her at a Knights Inn motel room after both had attended a charity golf outing and a gathering with her friends at a bar.
She said she twice escaped from the hotel room both were in before Cleaves pulled and dragged her back inside. After leaving a third time, she ended up in the room of a woman next door, who called police.
The Detroit News’ policy is to not name victims of sexual assaults.
On the stand Monday was Mundy Township police Sgt. Todd Johnson who on Friday said the alleged victim told him she had not been raped. Johnson said he was one of four officers to answer a call of “trouble” at the motel in the early morning hours of Sept. 15, 2015. Johnson said he asked the woman about being physically hurt or assaulted she told him “no,” that she had not been.
“(The woman) said she wasn’t a victim of any crime,” he said. Johnson said the woman told him she and Cleaves “messed around” when they got to the motel room and that she took her clothes off.
The Wayne County prosecutor handled the case after Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton recused himself citing a conflict of interest.
“There is insufficient evidence on charge,” Judge Cathy Dowd of 67th District Court ruled Monday. “This case is dismissed.”
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement that it will appeal the decision.
Defense attorney Frank Manley described the case outside court as a “he said-she said-she said-she said-she said” case of rape that “just didn’t happen.” He said there were too many inconsistencies.
His arm draped around his wife and surrounded by family and friends, Cleaves left Flint District Court eager to regain his reputation.
“I’m just happy,” he told reporters, “to walk away from this a free man. I’m thankful for my wife, family and friends standing beside me and for a lawyer to fight for my life as if I was his own son.”
Manley didn’t call any witnesses in the fifth and final day of the hearing. His client faced charges of unlawful imprisonment, assault with intent to commit criminal sexual penetration, second-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. He had pleaded not guilty.
Manley had asked Dowd on Friday to dismiss the charges against Cleaves, 39, saying the charges are “baseless” and the prosecution hasn’t proven its case.
In a statement released Monday evening, Manley said: “We are thrilled that justice was served. We were confident that the facts of the case would allow justice to prevail.
“Four police officers on the scene determined no assault or crime had been committed and the complainant also stated, ‘I was not assaulted’ on the night of the event. It just didn’t add up. Judge Dowd’s ruling is supported by all the evidence and facts presented.”
A Mount Morris woman in her mid-20s has said Cleaves sexually assaulted her at a Knights Inn motel room after both had attended a charity golf outing and a gathering with her friends at a bar.
She said she twice escaped from the hotel room both were in before Cleaves pulled and dragged her back inside. After leaving a third time, she ended up in the room of a woman next door, who called police.
The Detroit News’ policy is to not name victims of sexual assaults.
On the stand Monday was Mundy Township police Sgt. Todd Johnson who on Friday said the alleged victim told him she had not been raped. Johnson said he was one of four officers to answer a call of “trouble” at the motel in the early morning hours of Sept. 15, 2015. Johnson said he asked the woman about being physically hurt or assaulted she told him “no,” that she had not been.
“(The woman) said she wasn’t a victim of any crime,” he said. Johnson said the woman told him she and Cleaves “messed around” when they got to the motel room and that she took her clothes off.
The Wayne County prosecutor handled the case after Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton recused himself citing a conflict of interest.
he's still a scumbag. Dude put himself in this dumb situation. 
