After hearing testimony from both sides during a preliminary hearing, District Court Judge Kenneth King ruled two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct levied against Detroit Tigers' farmhand Evan Reed will be dropped.
Despite the prosecutor arguing to the contrary, insisting a crime was committed, Reed will not be bound over for trail and the case dismissed by King, the presiding judge in Wayne County's 36th District Court. King stated the people failed to meet the burden of probable cause, not meeting the standard of proof needed when it came to coercion or that the woman involved was incapacitated.
The overriding reasoning behind the dismissal appears to be due to testimony from the alleged victim, whom King considered to not be a credible witness. She gave what the judge termed "vacillating testimony" and claimed she back-tracked on several issues.
Reed reportedly showed no emotion when the decision was reached.
In 27 games with the Tigers earlier this season, Reed posted an -0-1 record and 4.88 ERA in 27 2/3 innings. Designated for assignment in June, the 28-year-old right-hander is currently pitching for Triple-A Toledo.
Via a team official, Tigers' President, CEO and General Manager Dave Dombrowski issued a short statement on the Evan Reed matter:
"We are aware and are happy for him and have no further comment."