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Judge dismisses sexual assault charges against Mateen Cleaves
Mateen Cleaves has won the fight for his freedom without standing trial.
A judge dismissed sexual assault charges against the ex-Michigan State basketball star on Monday because of insufficient evidence. Prosecutors have the right to appeal Flint district court judge Cathy Dowd’s ruling.
Cleaves, 39, had been accused of unlawfully imprisoning and sexually assaulting a 24-year-old woman at a Flint-area motel last September after a day of partying at a charity golf event. If found guilty, Cleaves could have faced up to 15 years in prison.
Cleaves met the woman at the golf event and joined her, her boyfriend and some friends and coworkers for drinks at a nearby bar afterward. She then left the bar with Cleaves while her boyfriend drove another friend home.
Prosecutors alleged that the woman thought Cleaves intended to drive her back to the golf club. He instead drove to a nearby motel, where the woman claimed she was held against her will and assaulted.
Cleaves’ attorney Frank Manley argued repeatedly that no assault took place and that there wasn’t enough evidence to send his client to trial. The former Michigan State star spoke with reporters in Flint on Monday and expressed relief that the judge saw it his way.
I’m just thankful for my wife for standing by my side through this whole thing,” Cleaves told reporters. “I’m thankful that my family and close friends have stood by my side and thankful and very grateful that my lawyer fought for my life as if I was his own son.”
The case against Cleaves drew plenty of media coverage in Michigan because of the Flint native’s stature in his hometown and throughout the state.
Cleaves led Michigan State to its only national championship of Tom Izzo’s tenure in 2000. The Spartans defeated Florida, 89-76, in the title game that season behind 18 points and 4 assists from Cleaves.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
