Trial dismissed against ex-ASMSU official
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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.
Commentary
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First Empire
(03/11/09 3:01pm)Report
The truth always comes to light! All the people that know him knew he was innocent. Stay up Nigel!
FW Spartan
(03/12/09 8:59am)Report
Where are all the comments at from the same people last year who were so sure this man was guilty and wanted to see him in prison before all the details were known??????
AJ
(03/12/09 12:37pm)Report
Spring Break!
opinions
(03/14/09 12:50pm)Report
There is something seriously wrong with this case being dropped. I hate the politics of the world. This should have gone full trial. There has obviously been a bad judgement of character made here and its predominately a case that should be taken against the prosecutor now as well. Please explain to me how you can drop a rape case against someone who has a previous assault charge and a possible history of another rape where the woman did not press charges. This world is sick. Politics are nothing but little people who need power. What has happened to our world when we turn our heads to victims who have enough in them to even make a statement and do the right thing.