Prosecutor to reveal findings in Maryville alleged rape case

MARYVILLE, Mo. - A special prosecutor is expected to announce Thursday whether she will file charges against a Missouri man accused of raping a 14-year-old girl in Maryville two years ago when he was 17.

Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker is scheduled to appear Thursday afternoon before a judge in Maryville and give a statement to the media afterward.

Baker was appointed in October 2013 to re-examine claims by Daisy, who says she was raped by older student Matthew Barnett at an alcohol-fueled party in January 2012. CBS News generally does not name alleged victims of sexual assault but is naming Daisy because she and her mother have granted public interviews.

Nodaway County prosecuting attorney Robert Rice previously dismissed felony charges against Barnett over what he said was a lack of evidence and the Colemans refusal to cooperate.

The case drew national attention following an Oct. 12 report in the Kansas City Star which questioned Rice’s motives in dropping the case and delved into the alleged harassment endured by Daisy and her family.

On Oct. 16, Rice asked for a special prosecutor to take a new look at the case, and Baker was given that assignment.

The case was ushered back into the headlines on Tuesday following reports that Daisy Coleman was hospitalized Monday night after attempting to take her own life.

Melinda Coleman reportedly told Fox affiliate WDAF-TV that her daughter had attended a party for about an hour Saturday night and was then attacked immediately afterward on a number of Twitter accounts.

She said her daughter was in stable condition Monday night at a children’s psychiatric hospital in Kansas City, according to the station.