Robert H. German

There is not enough evidence to take this case to trial and therefore authorities have dropped rape charges against three teens. The decision has left the young men's families ecstatic and their accuser's family angry and disappointed. The testimony in the case came in when a judge found there was ...enough evidence to send the first-degree sexual assault cases to Kent County Circuit Court. During that probable-cause hearing, an 18-year-old former High School student testified she was sexually assaulted by the 18-year-old and his friend, in her home in Grand Rapids. She said she also was assaulted a second time by the teens. She testified she watched pornographic movies with the young men but denied she consented to sex. Over the next three months while their clients were free on bond, defense attorneys gathered evidence they say shows the accuser was telling various versions of the story to people who were willing to testify. Defense attorneys also said they had records that showed the young woman attempted to contact her alleged attackers by phone and Internet, and had hung out with them at a football game and other events after the alleged attacks. Spring Lake attorney Robert German said the women's story was filled with contradictions that tipped the scale in his client's favor. Prosecutors offered a chance to German's client to plead guilty to attempted sexual assault -- a maximum five-year felony -- if he testified against the other two. He turned the deal down and, along with the others, faced up to life in prison if convicted. German said that when someone turns down such an offer especially when they are facing life in prison, it tends to indicate that that person did not do what he is accused of. All defense attorneys involved in this case said Assistant Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker showed integrity in considering the evidence the defense presented and then dropping the charges. Becker said there simply was not enough evidence to expect a jury to find the men guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.