Lawmakers, Activists Hope DA Vance Will Persist With DSK Sex Assault Case
NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- It's a challenge for the Manhattan district attorney – should he drop the sex assault case against former international money man Dominique Strauss-Kahn?
On Sunday, there were new calls for DA Cyrus Vance to keep the case alive, reports CBS 2's Tony Aiello.
"They must continue this case," one woman said.
It was a straightforward message delivered by a diverse group of activists and elected officials.
"Demanding that Vance continue with this case, give this woman her day in court," Aisha Al-Adawiya, director of Women in Islam, said.
That woman is the 32-year-old African immigrant who accused Strauss-Kahn of sex assault at the Sofitel Hotel in Manhattan.
Many believe Vance may decide to drop the case due to issues with the accuser. Questions about her credibility were uncovered by investigators working for the district attorney's office. The DA did what he was legally required to do, turning the information over to Strauss-Kahn's defense team.
The letter detailed how the accuser "fabricated the statement" to immigration that helped her win asylum, and admitted her "account was false" when she told the grand jury that she immediately reported the alleged assault. It also noted that the "complainant was untruthful" to the IRS and investigators looking into her background.
Activists on Sunday, though, said that even if the accuser lied to immigration and the tax man, it doesn't mean she's lying about the sex assault.
"I believe it's an insult to our system of American justice for us to even consider ignoring the forensic and other medical evidence," State Senator Bill Perkins said.
Strauss-Kahn is scheduled to be back in court a week from Monday. The district attorney's office said it's still investigating, and will proceed with the prosecution – at least for now.
There was no comment Sunday from lawyers for Strauss-Kahn.
District Attorney Vance has faced some criticism for his handling of the case, but his legendary predecessor, Robert Morgenthau, offered words of support this week.
