Court date postponed for ex-head of the IMF
Source: Agencies |
July 13, 2011, Wednesday
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DOMINIQUE Strauss-Kahn's next court date in his sexual assault case was postponed on Monday, with prosecutors invoking a need for further investigation and defense lawyers saying they hoped it would lead to the end of the tumultuous case.
Previously set for July 18, the court date is now scheduled for August 1 as prosecutors weigh what to do about a case rocked by questions about the accuser's credibility.
The Manhattan district attorney's office told the judge in a letter that the delay was "to facilitate both parties' continued investigation."
But Strauss-Kahn lawyers William W. Taylor and Benjamin Brafman said: "We hope that during this time, the district attorney will make the necessary decision to dismiss the case against Mr Strauss-Kahn."
For now, DA spokeswoman Erin Duggan said no decisions have been made. She characterized the delay as a routine bid for additional time to probe into the case.
Still, the schedule change seemed certain to provoke a new round of speculation over the direction of the case. Prosecutors said earlier this month that the case had weakened because Strauss-Kahn's accuser, a hotel housekeeper who accused the former International Monetary Fund leader of trying to rape her, hadn't been truthful about her background and her actions right after the alleged attack.
But prosecutors also said there was forensic and other evidence that could corroborate her account of Strauss-Kahn chasing her down in his luxury suite on May 14, forcing her to perform oral sex and trying to rape her. He denies the allegations, and his lawyers have said anything that happened wasn't forced.
Prosecutors and defense lawyers met behind closed doors last week but have kept a tight lid on their discussion. Strauss-Kahn's lawyers have said he won't plead guilty to any charge.
Prosecutors haven't raised questions about the veracity of her account of the alleged attack itself, but the revelations could make the 32-year-old maid a difficult witness for jurors to believe, experts say.
Among other falsehoods, she told prosecutors an emotional but invented tale of a previous sexual attack in her native Guinea, and she didn't tell a grand jury she'd gone on cleaning rooms before reporting Strauss-Kahn's alleged attack to a supervisor, prosecutors said.
Previously set for July 18, the court date is now scheduled for August 1 as prosecutors weigh what to do about a case rocked by questions about the accuser's credibility.
The Manhattan district attorney's office told the judge in a letter that the delay was "to facilitate both parties' continued investigation."
But Strauss-Kahn lawyers William W. Taylor and Benjamin Brafman said: "We hope that during this time, the district attorney will make the necessary decision to dismiss the case against Mr Strauss-Kahn."
For now, DA spokeswoman Erin Duggan said no decisions have been made. She characterized the delay as a routine bid for additional time to probe into the case.
Still, the schedule change seemed certain to provoke a new round of speculation over the direction of the case. Prosecutors said earlier this month that the case had weakened because Strauss-Kahn's accuser, a hotel housekeeper who accused the former International Monetary Fund leader of trying to rape her, hadn't been truthful about her background and her actions right after the alleged attack.
But prosecutors also said there was forensic and other evidence that could corroborate her account of Strauss-Kahn chasing her down in his luxury suite on May 14, forcing her to perform oral sex and trying to rape her. He denies the allegations, and his lawyers have said anything that happened wasn't forced.
Prosecutors and defense lawyers met behind closed doors last week but have kept a tight lid on their discussion. Strauss-Kahn's lawyers have said he won't plead guilty to any charge.
Prosecutors haven't raised questions about the veracity of her account of the alleged attack itself, but the revelations could make the 32-year-old maid a difficult witness for jurors to believe, experts say.
Among other falsehoods, she told prosecutors an emotional but invented tale of a previous sexual attack in her native Guinea, and she didn't tell a grand jury she'd gone on cleaning rooms before reporting Strauss-Kahn's alleged attack to a supervisor, prosecutors said.
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