Dominique Strauss-Kahn attempted rape inquiry dropped

[alp227]

Source: AP

French prosecutors have dropped their investigation into claims by the French author Tristane Banon that she was subject to an attempted rape by Dominique Strauss-Kahn, citing lack of sufficient proof

The former IMF chief admitted under questioning to a lesser charge of sexual assault. But a sexual assault case against Strauss-Kahn cannot be pursued because the alleged incident occurred outside the three-year statute of limitations for that charge – the statute for attempted rape is 10 years.

Thursday's announcement was a second legal victory in a stormy year for Strauss-Kahn, who quit his job as head of the IMF after a New York hotel maid accused him of attempted rape earlier this year. Prosecutors later dropped that case.

Banon filed her complaint in France in July, after doubts about the maid's credibility emerged. Strauss-Kahn, considered a top contender for France's presidency before his New York arrest, called Banon's attempted rape claim imaginary and slanderous.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/13/dominique-strauss-kahn-inquiry-dropped

[hlthe2b]

1. So charges dropped because of NY maid's credibility & French legal technicality

Certainly doesn't go very far to exonerate him from the charges. Is this a man who was set up by his enemies, who knew of his propensity for "womanizing?" Or, is this a man whose lust for power not only allowed him to believe himself above the law in such cases, but used his power and money to escape the charges?

I guess we won't ever know....:shrug: A sorry, sorry episode all around.

[cstanleytech]

2. I would say a lack of evidence is all the exoneration needed.

[hlthe2b]

12. Statute of limitations having passed (3 yrs in France) does not equate to

"lack of evidence"... He may be innocent or he may be a power-hungry lecherous clod. I withhold judgement. But I think we certainly do not have the information necessary to judge with any certainty--either way.

[cstanleytech]

16. Whatever, point is unless hes been convicted in a court he doesnt need to be

exonerated for anything because he hasnt been convicted of anything that would require him to be exonerated.

[COLGATE4]

4. It's not a legal "technicality". That's the term people use when

they want to quarrel with the decision but don't have anything to base it on. French law, like our law has different statutes of limitation for different crimes. It's also not a 'technicality' when a Prosecutor decides that he doesn't have a credible enough witness to go forward with a case. I agree it's a sorry sorry episode, but because a person who was in a position to have done a great deal to avoid this latest financial tsunami we're presently undergoing was prevented from doing so because of some allegations which were deemed to be not credible.

[hlthe2b]

10. No... the technicality is the statute of limitations of three years in France.

Please don't jump to such condescending conclusions about others understanding of legal issues.

[alp227]

3. also: DSK rape accuser Tristane Banon writes book about assault by 'baboon'

The French writer who has accused Dominique Strauss-Kahn of attempting to rape her when she went to interview him has written a book in which she appears to refer to him as a "baboon".

Tristane Banon, 32, described the former IMF head as behaving like a "rutting chimpanzee" during the alleged attack at an unfurnished Paris apartment in February 2003. Strauss-Kahn has described the allegations, which are under police investigation, as "imaginary".

Banon's book, Le Bal des Hypocrites (The Hypocrites' Ball), described as a 128-page "novelisation" of events in her life, would appear to be the latest salvo in a vitriolic battle of words between the young woman and the veteran politician, once tipped to become the next president of France.

Banon does not directly name Strauss-Kahn, but describes a man who lured her to his flat and who she claims she had to fight off as he forced his fingers into her mouth and his hands into her jeans, as the "pig" or "baboon".

full: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/13/dominique-strauss-kahn-tristane-banon

[harmonicon]

6. What a nice way to sell a book. nt.

[defendandprotect]

9. Think we need to pay attention to her story --- one of the many such reports about DSK -- !!!

[defendandprotect]

5. Sexual assault charges would have stood up -- but exceeded time limit --

And actual rape charges after 10 years and no other witnesses would have little

chance --

On the other hand, think we're saved from having this "runting pig" rise to even

higher powers in government!!

[harmonicon]

7. Yes, "saved" from France having a popular Socialist president.

What a deal.

[defendandprotect]

8. Socialist? DSK is actively anti-UNION, especially enraged by NYC Hotel Unions -- !!!

[harmonicon]

11. Yes, Socialist. He was to be the Socialist candidate.

Facts are facts.

[totodeinhere]

13. But of course that doesn't mean small "s" socialist. n/t

[defendandprotect]

18. That seems to be the truth of the matter -- !!

:evilgrin:

[defendandprotect]

17. DSK is a joke -- no matter what label he wears -- he's still anti-UNION in a very big way -- !!

And, a lot of his anger was focused on hotel workers ---

including maids!

[aquart]

14. I'm shocked. Really.

[lbrtbell]

15. Laws...always there to protect rapists.

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[w4rma]

19. Laws...are there to protect people from being falsely convicted.

By one person who wanted some money and another who wanted to sell some books.