Filipino court overturns US Marine rape conviction

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A Philippine appeals court overturned the 2006 rape conviction of a U.S. Marine and ordered his immediate release Thursday, setting off protests from activists.

A suburban Manila court convicted Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith of raping a Filipino woman in the company of fellow Marines at the former U.S. Subic Bay Naval base three years ago and sentenced him to life in prison. The case has become a rallying point for anti-American protests in the country.

The Philippine Court of Appeals overturned the ruling, indicating the sexual act was consensual.

(snip)

In March, the woman who accused Smith of rape altered her testimony and emigrated to the United States in a dramatic twist in the case, saying she was no longer certain that a crime took place.



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jVnmaL_jErU2ER0lOj1Exw_PmyjwD97O7RDG0

[MADem]

1. Wow. That's a twist.

I remember discussions of this case here, there seemed to be an enthusiam for hanging the guy and not bothering with the trial. Some were also bullshit that he was confined at the Embassy.

I'll bet that prevaricating young lady doesn't go home any time soon:

The woman initially said she and Smith were drinking, kissing and dancing at a Subic bar before moving to a van, where she originally told the court she was raped while she fell in and out of consciousness. Smith had insisted the sex was consensual.

The court said what happened "was the unfolding of a spontaneous, unplanned romantic episode with both parties carried away by their passions."

The woman's turnabout shocked her supporters. Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said she could be charged with perjury.

[AZ Criminal JD]

2. People on DU are always quick to convict people they don't like

Based on shoddy initial media reports.

[Mike Daniels]

4. Duke Lacrosse being the most notable example

[Lance_Boyle]

3. What about the woman who had him locked up for years on false charges?

She was living free and clear in the States while he languished in prison for her lies (or "potentially misremembered facts" if you prefer the bullshit euphemism). Will she be brought up on charges and extradited to the Philippines? Can her victim sue her civilly in the US for destroying years of his life?

[Arctic Dave]

5. Change of heart?

"In March, the woman who accused Smith of rape altered her testimony and emigrated to the United States in a dramatic twist in the case, saying she was no longer certain that a crime took place."

Moved to the US and changed her mind all in the same month. Wait a second.....no that would never happen.