Ched Evans - Not Guilty

[Bazile]

I haven't been following this story , myself

He has been found not guilty


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-37659009

[andy-hughes]

trt - //I still think that the person/persons accusing somebody with similar accusations, should be named like the defendant is. //

If that happens, you will simply have a repeat of what has gone on here. This woman has not been named, but she has still been ‘outed’ my social media trolls and forced to move house five times – so far. And let’s remember, she was not accused charged tried and convicted, but she is paying the price for being part of this trial.

We must protect the anonymity of victims, unless they are proven to be malicious, in which case they should be prosecuted.

[trt]

## This woman has not been named, but she has still been ‘outed’ my social media trolls and forced to move house five times – so far. ##

Never knew or read that Andy, but naming might stop people trying to make a few bob from a Celeb, papers or blackmail.

[trt]

Who actually accused Evans, or pressed charges, as some say she didn't?

[andy-hughes]

trt – the rape charge was brought by the police.

The woman visited the local police station on the morning after the incident because she believed her bag had been stolen. She was interviewed by the police and as a result of that interview, Evans and Macdonald were arrested and charged.

[trt]

Thanks Andy,

I suppose we will never know the full truth.

[andy-hughes]

TRT - //Thanks Andy,

I suppose we will never know the full truth. //

You are most welcome.

Interesting though, Evans is acquitted on Friday, and has his 'side' of the story in a national newspaper by Sunday - the poor woman in the centre of all this has maintained a dignified silence throughout, and continues to do so.

I think that speaks volumes about both of them.

[ummmm]

Not really, Andy. If he truly believes he's innocent then surely it's completely normal to put his side of the story out there.

[joggerjayne]

// the poor woman in the centre of all this has maintained a dignified silence //

Arguably, it might have been more dignified to say ...

"He didn't rape me, so don't prosecute him"?

[naomi24]

//the poor woman //

Right. :o)

[DTCwordfan]

He'll never be innocent in the eyes of the law - he was acquitted as the prosecution lawyers did not sufficiently prove their charges....this was pointed out by a lawyer on the radio (R4) this morning. Maybe that's splitting hairs - I agree on the comments about dignity though it's natural for Evans as he is more in the limelight as to his career.

[andy-hughes]

joggerjayne - // the poor woman in the centre of all this has maintained a dignified silence //

Arguably, it might have been more dignified to say ...

"He didn't rape me, so don't prosecute him"? //

I have suggested already on this thread, the possibility that this woman did not mean for a charge to be brought, She may well have protested at the actions of the police, and been ignored and overruled - and found herself on a runaway train into court, and a life-changing situation.

It's a possibility that bears consideration, rather than the general consensus by Evans' defenders on here - until I pointed out its inaccuracy - that she was vindictively looking to hurt Evans unfairly.

[naomi24]

andy-hughes, //until I pointed out its inaccuracy - that she was vindictively looking to hurt Evans unfairly. //

You don't know what went on or what her motives were. One has to question how a simple report of a missing handbag could possibly result in a prosecution for rape. I don't perceive her to be a 'poor' shrinking violet.

[Barmaid]

//She may well have protested at the actions of the police, and been ignored and overruled - and found herself on a runaway train into court, and a life-changing situation//

Unlikely, I would suggest. She would have given a statement which she would have signed to say was the truth; she would possibly also have submitted to an intimate examination. Whilst it is the CPS who decides whether to charge a case they will take into account the cooperation of the complainant.

[joggerjayne]

I do take the point, though (Andy's)

[andy-hughes]

Barmaid - //Whilst it is the CPS who decides whether to charge a case they will take into account the cooperation of the complainant. //

Just one small flaw in your argument - she was not the complainant - the police were.

She has never accused Evans of rape.

[andy-hughes]

And still the overwhelming desire to excuse Evans by laying blame at the door of the woman involved goes on and on and on, well past the point of all normal objective reason.

She absolutely must have had a 'hidden agenda' or be looking to hurt a sports star, or be a woman with no morals, and so on and so on and so on.

Because without any of those things, Evans is the cause of this misery, and was duly convicted for his behaviour.

This constant searching for fault on her part is unedifying, and says more about the seekers than the woman herself.

[andy-hughes]

Interestingly - even though his defenders on here cannot find an ounce of sympathy for the woman involved in this horrible business, Ched Evans can.

He has issued an oblique, if not direct apology to all involved, and he has stated in his first interview that he feels sorry for her.

Shame some people on here lack the compassion of someone like Evans - I would be deeply ashamed to think that his moral compass functioned better than mine

[naomi24]

andy-hughes, I agree with him. I feel sorry for her – but not for the same reasons you feel sorry for her.

[trt]

## the poor woman in the centre of all this has maintained a dignified silence throughout, and continues to do so. ##

Its early days yet Andy.

Going back to the case, why weren't the two men, who said they had sexual intercourse with the girl, before and after the rape, called as witnesses in the first trial, or was there a bit of skulduggery going on?