Scarlett
The trial against Nigel Scarlett, a former high-ranking ASMSU official who was accused of sexually assaulting a woman on campus last year, was dismissed Tuesday, court officials said.
Judge Paula Manderfield’s office said there was not enough evidence from the prosecution’s expert witness to merit a case. The trial previously was set for March 16 after having been delayed for several months.
Scarlett was to be charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in connection with a reported assault in South Hubbard Hall on Feb. 24, 2008. He resigned from his position as ASMSU Student Assembly vice chairperson for external affairs one week after his arrest.
ASMSU is MSU’s undergraduate student government.
Third-degree criminal sexual conduct is a felony classified as sexual penetration when the defendant knows or has reason to know the victim is physically helpless. A sentence can carry up to 15 years in prison.
Scarlett’s lawyer, Patrick Eagan, previously said he didn’t think there was enough evidence to prove that a sexual encounter between Scarlett and the victim was not consensual.
For more on this story, read The State News print edition on Monday, March 16, when we resume publication after Spring Break.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
