An evidence bag containing the rape kit of NHL star Patrick Kane’s alleged sexual assault victim was anonymously delivered to the accuser’s mother, according to the victim’s lawyer.
The Chicago Blackhawks star is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s in August at his offseason home outside Buffalo, New York, the Associated Press reported.
During a Wednesday afternoon press conference, attorney Thomas Eoannou said an evidence bag was delivered to the victim’s mother’s house.
“Yesterday, the rape kit evidence bag was anonymously delivered to the home of my client’s mother,” Eoannou said as he presented the bag in front of the media. “We know this to be the evidence bag that once contained the rape kit evidence.”
Eoannou said it’s not clear how the bag got to the mother’s home or what effect it may have on the investigation.
The attorney said the bag contained a label with the alleged victim’s personal information, including the location of where the rape kit analysis was performed.
“It is authentic,” Eoannou told the media.
Eoannou wants the FBI or state police to probe how the bag left the custody of investigators.
“In my 30 years-plus of being both a prosecutor and a defense attorney, I have never seen an evidence bag outside of a police lab, a prosecutor’s office or a courtroom, let alone find one in the doorway of a rape victim’s mother’s home,” Eoannou said.
He said the mother made the bizarre discovery when she came home from work for lunch on Tuesday.
Last week, the 26-year-old hockey star spoke publicly for the first time about the allegations.
“I cannot apologize enough for the distraction this has caused my family, teammates, this incredible organization and, of course, our fans,” said Kane. “While I have too much respect for the legal process to comment on an ongoing matter, I am confident once all the facts are brought to light I will be absolved of having done nothing wrong.”
Kane’s attorney, Paul Cambria, declined comment to The Associated Press earlier in the day when asked about Eoannou’s decision to hold a news conference.
Kane did not travel to Detroit with the rest of his team for Wednesday’s Blackhawks game against the Red Wings, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
Kane has not been charged.
–With a files from The Associated Press
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