A day after a news conference suggested evidence in a rape case against NHL star Patrick Kane had been mishandled, the attorney representing his accuser said he is withdrawing from the case after suspecting "some fabrications."
Thomas Eoannou called a second news conference Thursday night to say the investigation of a torn evidence bag had left him without confidence in how it came to be delivered to his office. The mother of his client had previously said she found the torn evidence bag — complete with alleged victim's name — left on her doorstep.
"I do not have confidence in that version of the events," Eoannou told reporters. "I don’t know how the bag got on the porch. I don’t have confidence in the version that was provided to me."
Eoannou on Wednesday had called for a criminal investigation after accusing authorities of tampering with evidence.
After an investigation by authorities, as well as Eoannou's office, however, the attorney said he could no longer represent the woman.
"It's my ethical obligation to withdraw," he said.
Eoannou added that investigators had confirmed the bag was a genuine evidence bag relating to the case. However, he could not say what may have been inside.
He added he did not believe this week's developments had any bearing on the credibility of the woman's original accusations against Kane.
"One has nothing to do with the other," Eoannou said.
But Kane's attorney, Paul Cambria, later said the entire case should be dismissed.
"I feel that Patrick Kane has been victimized," he said. "This happening today is bizarre."
Cambria repeated his previous statements that the DNA evidence in the rape kit would exonerate Kate. He added he believed a family member of the woman had tried to call into question that evidence by staging the torn bag.
"Somebody attempted to use [Eoannou] to fabricate or obstruct or undermine the science," Cambria said. "I think that speaks volumes about the integrity of the original accusation."
Cambria added that he and Kane would consider suing the woman. He said he hoped authorities would hold anyone who had fabricated evidence responsible.
"In order for the system to work, when people try to corrupt it they need to be held accountable," he said.
The woman told WGRZ that she plans to continue to pursue the case against Kane.
#PatrickKane accuser says she has, "every intention of continuing the case to a just conclusion." @WGRZ
The Erie County District Attorney is scheduled to speak to reporters on Friday regarding the case.
Police have already said they have accounted for all evidence — including the rape kit — and it remained in its original packaging. A break in the chain of custody would be important because a medical examiner would be unable to testify with certainty that the evidence had not been tampered with or compromised.