parra-matters
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Thanks for posting that, very interesting reading.
im sorry but it has to be said
i smell a cover up
what heppened? did these two witnesses suddenly up and remember at the same time that they had seen something? With all the media attention surrounding this case, i think not...
DPP to decide Bulldogs' charges by week's end
By Eamonn Duff
April 25, 2004
The Sun-Herald
The wait is all but over for the Canterbury Bulldogs, with an announcement expected this week about the recent gang rape allegations.
A spokesman for the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions, Nicholas Cowdery, said: "What I can confirm is that his advice will be handed back to the police in due course. It is anticipated that will definitely be done by the end of the week."
By Saturday, Mr Cowdery will tell police whether there is sufficient evidence for criminal charges to be laid against six players who allegedly sexually assaulted a 20-year-old Coffs Harbour woman.
Controversy has surrounded the Canterbury Bulldogs since February 22 when the woman told police she was assaulted at the Pacific Bay Resort at Coffs Harbour.
Twenty four players were questioned by Strike Force McGuigon detectives, who also took DNA samples.
The negative publicity that flowed from the scandal later cost chief executive Steve Mortimer and football manager Garry Hughes their jobs.
While everyone associated with the embattled rugby league club is hoping for a positive outcome, the DPP spokesman warned that if there was sufficient evidence against the players, arrests could be immediate.
"If it is decided there is enough evidence to proceed, police will charge and police will arrest," he said.
'Those affected will then appear before a magistrate, they'll no doubt apply for bail, which will either be given or not given.
"The point I'm making is the sequence of events will be no different just because they are footie players."
However, Bulldogs chief executive Malcolm Noad is confident the case will be dropped.
"When I came to this club, I came with very objective views," he said. "I'd heard the rumours and, I'll be totally honest, I expected to find something vastly different to what I've now found.
"The police and the DPP continue to keep everything close to their chest. I've heard it could be Tuesday, I've heard it could be Friday. But based on the evidence we have gathered, which includes numerous witness statements from the same witnesses the police interviewed, it all points to the fact that there was certainly no rape.
"Neither was there even consensual group sex. It simply didn't happen."
Mr Noad said: "I think, to be honest, certain things did happen on the night which shouldn't have happened. But at the same time, I also have tremendous sympathy for the players who have been to hell and back."
Mr Noad also revealed the scandal had cost the club $1.3 million in sponsorship. "We lost Bing Lee who were on the verge of signing. We also lost BlueScope [Steel], who were going to be our shorts' sponsors, and then there were several other companies who were on the verge of upgrading contracts. Emotionally, of course, the club is still suffering."
Mr Noad said that if the case was dropped this week, the Bulldogs might well bite back with legal action of their own.
"We'll be reviewing everything once the dust settles."
He would also be "interested" to see if the woman who made the claims attempted to profit from the story.
For now, she remains silent.
Hiding at her parents' house this week, she stepped out only briefly during the day to greet and farewell visiting relatives.
On Friday, when news broke that a mystery woman had allegedly contacted the Bulldogs requesting $25,000 in return for the matter being dropped, some family members finally snapped.
Venting anger at members of the media, one relative abused a journalist before warning: "I know who you are, you better watch yourself."
What happens next
If the DPP recommends police charge the Bulldogs with gang rape they will be arrested and have to appear at the Coffs Harbour Local Court to apply for bail. It is expected the accused would then appear next at a Sydney court.
Any players found guilty of gang rape face jail terms of between 20 years and life under laws changed after the infamous series of gang rape cases in Sydney in 2000.
If the DPP advises the charges not proceed, the woman at the centre of the allegations may pursue the matter through the civil courts and sue the club for damages.
Saint 60 said:Mr Noad said that if the case was dropped this week, the Bulldogs might well bite back with legal action of their own.
LOL yeah right....like thatll ever happen, the whole story will come out then...who is this joker..lol
I bet Coffs wont have the dogs back in a hurry - charged or not charged --- :roll:
Saint 60 said:well just for you ibeme -
if the dogs wernt afraid of the story coming out....
y hasnt the whole story slipped out already..or y havent there been major Denials by the club and the players..there are many rumours concerning which players surely they would want to put the world straight..y havent the enquiries been stopped by the cops and y did they send the work to the ddp..if they were innocent they would not care..?....maybe no-one will be charged & then again maybe a few will be...y were a couple of ppl already sacked -
there are many more little facts -----
you can have your opinion and the papers can have theirs...
but something happened definately is what i say and the dogs will want it to go away - far away -as quick as possible...
good luck btw
1_CRUSADER2 said::sleeper:
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1260&storyid=1251233Bulldogs rape case weakens
By CINDY WOCKNER Legal Affairs Editor
April 26, 2004
THE chances of rape charges being laid against any Canterbury Bulldogs players appear slim after preliminary advice indicated there was insufficient evidence.
A final decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions is expected this week but The Daily Telegraph understands its advice is that criminal charges not be recommended.
It is also believed that DNA material from both the alleged victim and players has not revealed any meaningful evidence.
The DPP's office has had the Strike Force McGuigon file since April 1 and has been poring over both the version of events given by the young woman and the players' account.
The file is now with the senior ranks of the DPP, including the director Nicholas Cowdery, QC, who may take a different view over criminal charges.
The 20-year-old woman told police in lengthy interviews that she was gang-raped by up to six Bulldogs players in the swimming pool area of the Pacific Bay Resort in Coffs Harbour last February 22.
Since the allegations were aired publicly the club and its players have been under siege, with several high-ranking officials losing their jobs.
Upon completion of the brief the police sent it to the DPP for "legal advising" specialist advice on whether there would be a reasonable prospect of conviction if charges were laid.
The Daily Telegraph understands the DPP's main area of concern is the alleged victim's version of events and whether it would withstand sustained attack under cross-examination.
Some of the woman's claims have been called into question by other independent witnesses, who give contrary versions.
One concern is that she has told police her reason for going to the resort from the Plantation Hotel that morning was to return her friend's wallet.
However her friend's wallet was found at the Plantation Hotel and handed in from there.
Another area of concern is the timing. Some witnesses have reported seeing a woman matching her description at the swimming pool area with one player in the early morning.
She claims she was later attacked by up to six players but doubt has been cast on whether there was time for such an attack between when she was with one player and five more arriving.
It is also understood that the woman has not identified, from police photoboards, all of the six players she claimed raped her.
If the DPP decides not to proceed with charges, it will be the second time in just more than a year that rape allegations against the Bulldogs have faltered.
A year ago another woman claimed players sexually assaulted her at the resort. The file went to the DPP which opted not to proceed with charges.