Rape charges dropped against former ND players

[TexasStooge]

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Court TV) — The cases against two former Notre Dame football players accused of sexual assault were dismissed last week after prosecutors failed to convict two other players in the alleged attack.

Lorenzo Crawford was scheduled to go on trial next week while the case against Justin Smith was set to start Nov. 17.

Prosecutors said they made the decision to drop the cases after talking with the former female football manager who had accused the four players of sexually assaulting her in March 2002 at Smith's off-campus home. The men maintained the sex acts were consensual.

The prosecution had not fared well in the first two trials.

Donald Dykes was acquitted of three charges, including rape and conspiracy to commit rape.

Abram Elam was convicted of sexual battery but acquitted of two more serious felonies, conspiracy to commit rape and criminal deviate conduct. He is awaiting sentencing.

Notre Dame expelled the four players following their arrests.