Brooklyn DA Drops Charges in Playground Gang-Rape Case

BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN — The five young teens accused of gang-raping an 18-year-old Brownsville woman at Osborn Playground in January were let off the hook Wednesday by the Brooklyn District Attorney.

Brooklyn DA Ken Thompson cited a ”lack of reliable evidence” as his reason for dropping the charges.

Thompson released the following explanation Wednesday night.

Working closely with the NYPD, my office has thoroughly investigated disturbing and very serious allegations of a gang rape at gunpoint last month inside the Osborn Playground in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn.

The complainant, as well as her father, provided multiple inconsistent accounts to NYPD Detectives and to experienced Special Victims prosecutors about important material facts in this case. The complainant has recanted her allegations of forcible sexual assault and the existence of a gun, and she does not wish to pursue criminal charges against any of the defendants. She also refuses to cooperate with any prosecution against her father, who was engaging in sexual conduct with her.

That night, this young woman’s father and the five young men engaged in conduct that was reprehensible and wrong, but because of the lack of reliable evidence, criminal charges simply cannot be sustained.

It is my fervent hope that this young woman gets all the support that she needs going forward. My office, including our victim advocates who have been working with this young woman, stand ready to provide her with any assistance she may need.

Here’s our story from back in January on the various versions of what happened in the park that night.