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Former Buffalo Bills and San Diego State punter Matt Araiza has avoided any criminal charges relating to the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl last year, the San Diego Union Tribune reported.
Per Latimes.com, the 22-year-old was accused in the alleged sexual assault case along with two other college players.
But per the San Diego Union Tribune, the case has been dropped due to evidence not supporting the file of any criminal charges by the prosecutors.
San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan released a statement on the no filing of charges against Araiza and the two other college players:
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“Ultimately, prosecutors determined it is clear the evidence does not support the filing of criminal charges and there is no path to a potential criminal conviction. Prosecutors can only file charges when they ethically believe they can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
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Back when the story first broke, Araiza's lawyer stated that he believed the lawsuit was about money and that the punter was not in the room and did not rape the 17-year-old girl.
When the girl filed the lawsuit, it was revealed that the other two players were named as Zavier Leonard and Nowlin “Pa’a” Ewaliko. Not long after the filing, Araiza was then released by the Buffalo Bills.
It was thought at the time that this would signal the end of the careers of all three players.
Will Matt Araiza make it back to an NFL roster?
Nicknamed the "Punt god," it is not known if these recent developments in the case will sway NFL teams, but we have surely not heard the last of this.
Still early on in his career when he was drafted by the Bills, it is not known if any team will take a chance on him.
Given the serious nature of the allegations and even though the case has not progressed to any criminal charges, it will still likely put teams off signing him, at least for the time being.
If you use the above quote, please credit Summer Stephan, Ari Meirov, and H/T Sportskeeda
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