North Melbourne ruckman Majak Daw has walked free from court today, after being found not guilty on three counts of rape.
The 24-year-old AFL footballer had the not guilty verdict handed down to him by the County Court in Melbourne earlier today, following a day of deliberation from the jury.
The Sudanese-born Daw was charged with oral, digital, and vaginal rape, stemming from a 2007 incident in Altona Meadows when Daw was 16 years-old and the victim was 15.
Daw asserted to the jury that whilst some sexual contact had occurred, it was consensual and that the complainant was “in control.”
Prosecution alleged that Daw had put his hand over the complainant’s mouth in order to muffle her screams. Prosecution counsel also urged the jury to disregard Daw’s testimony, as it seemed “scripted, too rehearsed, and implausible.”
The complainant had initially decided against pursuing charges against Daw in 2007, as she feared the trouble that could befall Daw, and instead wanted to pretend the incident never happened. But after experiencing nightmares last year, the complainant decided to come forward to police, believing that reporting the incident would help her heal.
Following the not guilty verdict, Daw made a brief statement to media outside the court building.
“It’s been a tough time, a tough nine days.”“I just want to thank all my family and friends for being here for me.”“I’ve been through this, I can get through anything in life.”
Majak Daw played two games for the Kangaroos in 2015, and was de-listed at the end of the season. However, the Roos threw him a lifeline, re-listing him as a rookie through the recent AFL Rookie Draft.
Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images.
Source: The Age.
