Erie County (N.Y.) District Attorney Frank Sedita III on Thursday said that no charges would be filed in the rape case against Blackhawks RW Patrick Kane "because of 'significant material inconsistencies' between the woman’s claims and those of witnesses and also contradictory physical and forensic evidence that didn’t support her allegations," according to Chris Kuc of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Kane "is still not yet in the clear" when it comes to the NHL; pending further internal investigation, the league "could still discipline" him. But the Hawks organization now "knows the possibility of criminal charges has disappeared" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/6). In Chicago, Chris Hine notes it is "unlikely the league would discipline Kane" given that he "won't face charges." But there are "questions regarding the Hawks’ long-term plans for Kane." He has "received strong fan support throughout the investigation, and treatment from opposing fans has been mild" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/6).
STAYING OR GOING? In Chicago, Mark Lazerus cites a team source as saying that Blackhawks brass "is still quite angry with Kane for putting himself and the team in this position, and will reassess the situation -- and Kane’s standing with the team -- after the season." The Blackhawks "have not actively shopped him" to other teams and it "almost certainly won’t happen during the season." In fact, a league source said that it "was unlikely to happen at all." But the team source said that because Kane was essentially given a "zero-tolerance ultimatum" in May '12, and given the franchise's "continuing salary-cap woes, it’s something the Hawks will at least discuss internally following the season" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/6). Also in Chicago, Rick Telander writes this is a "gigantic victory" for Kane "in most ways." But a possible civil suit "requires a lesser level of proof than a criminal case," and if Kane "were to be hit with such an action, who knows what the lawyered-up sides would agree to." For that reason, this "is not a total victory for Kane" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/6). The Chicago DAILY HERALD's Barry Rozner writes under the header, "No Winner In Patrick Kane Saga" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 11/6).
