NBC Chicago / Via nbcchicago.com
A day after a news conference suggested evidence in a rape case against NHL star Patrick Kane had been mishandled, the attorney representing his accuser said he is withdrawing from the case after suspecting "some fabrications."
Thomas Eoannou called a second news conference Thursday night to say the investigation of a torn evidence bag had left him without confidence in how it came to be delivered to his office. The mother of his client had previously said she found the torn evidence bag — complete with alleged victim's name — left on her doorstep.
"I do not have confidence in that version of the events," Eoannou told reporters. "I don’t know how the bag got on the porch. I don’t have confidence in the version that was provided to me."
Eoannou on Wednesday had called for a criminal investigation after accusing authorities of tampering with evidence.
Gary Wiepert / AP
After an investigation by authorities, as well as Eoannou's office, however, the attorney said he could no longer represent the woman.
"It's my ethical obligation to withdraw," he said.
Eoannou added that investigators had confirmed the bag was a genuine evidence bag relating to the case. However, he could not say what may have been inside.
He added he did not believe this week's developments had any bearing on the credibility of the woman's original accusations against Kane.
"One has nothing to do with the other," Eoannou said.
Kane's attorney has previously said he hoped the rape kit would be part of the trial; he said it would show the hockey star is innocent.
The Eerie County District Attorney is scheduled to speak to reporters on Friday regarding the case.
Police have already said they have accounted for all evidence — including the rape kit — and it remained in its original packaging. A break in the chain of custody would be important because a medical examiner would be unable to testify with certainty that the evidence had not been tampered with or compromised.
LINK: Evidence Bag Belonging To NHL Star’s Accuser Ripped Open And Left On Her Mother’s Doorstep
SOURCE: BuzzFeed
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