Lawyer for Kane's accuser: Rape kit bag anonymously delivered to accuser's mother
The lawyer for Patrick Kane's accuser in the ongoing sexual assault investigation involving the Chicago Blackhawks forward told media that the rape kit evidence bag in the case was anonymously delivered to the accuser's mother's home.
Attorney Thomas J. Eoannou said at a press conference Wednesday the rape kit evidence bag was opened and the evidence had been tampered with. He's calling for an independent law enforcement investigation into the matter.
Statement: "Hamburg Police Department will cooperate with any authorized investigation regarding the handling of evidence and the procedure"
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) September 23, 2015
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Eoannou added that he and his team confirmed the authenticity of the evidence bag, and in his 30 years of practicing law, he's never seen an evidence bag outside of a courtroom, police lab, or legal office.
The DA has not yet confirmed that the ripped open bag is the official rape kit evidence bag but they are allegedly looking into it.
— Shawn McKenzie (@ShawnMcKenzieSN) September 23, 2015
"If you're looking for a surefire way to scuttle a prosecution, you tamper with evidence," Eoannou said.
However, shortly before 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Erie County Central Police Services released a statement contradicting Eoannou, saying all case evidence is in possession of police in its original packaging:
All evidence related to this case that was given to Erie County Central Police Services by the Town of Hamburg Police Department is accounted for and remains in its original packaging in the possession of Erie County Central Police Services. This includes the evidence in the rape kit and the packaging itself. This evidence has been analyzed and reports of that analysis sent to the appropriate agencies.
According to Eoannou, the bag that was found at the accuser's mother's home contained the accuser's name, home address, date of birth, and the name of the nurse who performed the exam.
Sportsnet's Shawn McKenzie tweeted a photo of the alleged ripped and open evidence bag, which was displayed for the media.
The attorney refused to discuss the details of the case at the press conference, but said leaks were extremely damaging to the accuser and her credibility. The Buffalo News reported earlier that Kane's DNA wasn't found in the genital area of Eoannou's client.
"This is a classic example of why rape victims don't come forward," Eoannou said. "This is the worst case of victim-blaming I've ever seen."
The alleged incident occurred Aug. 2. Kane hasn't been charged and is participating in Blackhawks training camp. He played in Chicago's first exhibition game Tuesday night.
Kane's attorney Paul Cambria downplayed the significance of the evidence bag, saying tests reveal his client's DNA wasn't found below the accuser's waist.
Patrick Kane atty says that only someone "unhappy with the results" of DNA testing would tamper with evidence.
— Stacy St. Clair (@StacyStClair) September 23, 2015
"No one is claiming that the integrity of evidence was compromised before it was analyzed by the technician," Cambria said. "The only one who can be hurt by this would be Kane."