A girl who as soon as alleged that she was sexually assaulted and violently gang raped by former San Diego State and Buffalo Payments punter Matt Araiza has agreed to dismiss her civil suit.
Authorities in San Diego had beforehand declined to pursue criminal charges towards Araiza and decided that he was not on the social gathering in query when the alleged gang rape occurred. Araiza admitted to having consensual sex with the girl, who was 17 at the time, on the evening of the social gathering however didn’t know she was underage — he assumed she was older as a result of it was a school social gathering — and vehemently denied every other contact together with her.
The Buffalo Payments lower Araiza in August 2022 after the preliminary allegations had been levied towards him. Buffalo had reportedly known in regards to the accusations as early because the month prior.
In change for the girl dropping the civil go well with, Araiza has dropped a defamation go well with towards the girl. In accordance with Yahoo Sports activities, Araiza isn’t admitting any guilt and never making any financial funds towards her.
“The win is bittersweet,” stated Araiza’s lawyer Dick Smerdjian. “Matt has been forced to defend himself for the last 16 months against false accusations and a campaign to ruin his career in the NFL. He will never get this time in his life back.”
Native prosecutors met with the girl final spring and acknowledged that proof collected decided Araiza had left the home earlier than the alleged gang rape occurred.
“He wasn’t even at the party anymore,” Deputy District Legal professional Trisha Amador stated. “All I know is that at that point, suspect Araiza is gone from the party.”
Further video recordings of the incident left prosecutors unable to show any forceable sexual assault occurred.
Since being lower by the Payments, the New York Jets introduced Araiza in for a exercise however didn’t signal him. In accordance with columnist Dan Wetzel, “numerous” NFL groups had been hesitant to signal Araiza whereas a civil go well with was nonetheless pending.
“We cannot overstate the importance to our system of justice of the presumption of innocence,” stated Semerdjian. “Matt has always maintained his innocence, despite the public outcry that resulted when he was falsely accused of crimes and civil assault. Thankfully, there was extensive evidence that was key to securing Matt’s voluntary dismissal from this lawsuit.”
