Thursday, March 28, 2024

Report: MSU basketball players involved with alleged sexual assault in August

September 29, 2010

Two MSU basketball players were allegedly accused of sexual assault in late August, according to a report published Wednesday by news website Michigan Messenger.

The assault happened Aug. 29 into Aug. 30 in Wonders Hall, the report says. The State News reported an incident of alleged sexual assault Sept. 9.

The Messenger’s report is the first to say the alleged assailants in that incident were MSU basketball players.

Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III told The State News on Wednesday that he believes two basketball players were involved in the incident. MSU Associate Athletics Director of Communications John Lewandowski directed all questions to University Relations Wednesday.

The Messenger’s report said MSU police records indicate the players were questioned by campus police. One of the players allegedly involved confirmed the alleged victim’s account that the incident was not consensual, the Messenger reported.

Despite an alleged recommendation by MSU police to charge the alleged assailants with Criminal Sexual Conduct 1, Dunnings did not press charges after allegedly consulting with assistant prosecutors of both genders, the report says.

Dunnings told the Messenger his reason for not pursuing charges was because prosecutors could not find evidence of coercion. The decision to not prosecute allegedly was reached by both Dunnings’ office and the alleged victim.

Dunnings told The State News that Debra Rousseau Bouck, the county’s criminal sexual conduct prosecutor, spoke with the victim. After speaking with the victim, Bouck had police interview the suitemates of the suspects.

Dunnings said Bouck told him the victim understood they would not press charges. Bouck told the victim she could call or go to the prosecutor’s office if she wished to have the decision to not press charges reviewed, Dunnings said. At this time, she has done neither.

However, the Messenger reported the victim allegedly said she did not recall being asked whether she wanted to prosecute.

Check statenews.com throughout the day for more on this story.

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