Denver cardiologist pleads not guilty in date rape cases, trial set for March 4
Stephen Matthews pleaded not guilty in a Denver courtroom on Friday. The cardiologist is facing dozens of criminal counts after 13 women claimed the 35-year-old drugged them during dates with some saying he sexually assaulted them.
Last month a judge determined there was enough evidence for Matthews to stand trial on 51 felony charges including about two dozen counts of sexual assault, and another 17 counts of drugging an alleged victim, as more women continue to come out with accusations against him.
The trial is scheduled to begin March 4 next year and is expected to last three to four weeks.
All the women said they met Matthews through dating apps like Hinge or Tinder. They would meet him for a date, but after he would make them a drink, or if they left their drink unattended, they say they began to lose memory and essentially black out, sometimes for hours. Almost all of them said at some point they vomited and several told Denver police they would "come to" only to find Matthews raping them.
Matthews' lawyer said in court all the alleged victims should be named and should not be afforded a "cloak of anonymity."
After the hearing and outside the courtroom, the first accuser to publicly come forward said going public "was my decision. I don't think he should take that (decision) away from other victims... until then I think all of our names should be kept anonymous. I made the decision for myself and to try to take that away from someone else, I don't think that's fair."
She went on to say it was "uncomfortable" being in court in the same room with Matthews and she was feeling "a little overwhelmed." When asked what justice in this case would look like to her, she said "being able to sleep at night and knowing my hometown is safe."
Following the court appearance, Matthews was returned to the Denver jail where he is being held on $5 million bond.
