Prosecutors Are Expected to Drop Strauss-Kahn Charges

Multiple sources are reporting that at a hearing Tuesday prosecutors are likely to drop some or all of the charges against former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who is accused of attempting to rape a maid at a New York hotel.

The alleged victim’s credibility has been called into question, and the district attorney’s office may feel unable to win a conviction as a result.

The 32-year-old housekeeper is pursuing her own civil case against Strauss-Kahn, who was, until his arrest, a strong contender for the presidency of his native France.  —PZS

Reuters:

The case has teetered since late June when prosecutors disclosed that Diallo, a 32-year-old Guinean immigrant, had lied on her U.S. asylum application and about other aspects of her past.

That revelation threatened her credibility as a witness and led prosecutors to agree to release Strauss-Kahn, 62, from house arrest, though he remains barred from leaving the country. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

The [New York] Post reported that the prosecutors’ motion would detail concerns about Diallo’s credibility and make it clear they do not believe they can prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Read more

World Trade Organization (CC-BY-ND)