getgrizzy said:
she did, in fact, have a rape kit administered. she did, in fact, have marks on her body (bruised forearms and marks on her abdomen). she did, in fact, make the accusation not only to the police but several other people. those facts left the c.a. little choice but to proceed to trial. anyone saying the case never should've gone to trial is point blank talking out their ass.
Of course she told several people. She made sure of it.
If I am recalling correctly, and it's been while, but the relatively mild nature of the marks were found to be inconsistent with the passage of time before she had the exam. It raised the question that they were self-inflicted just prior to the exam.
It didn't help that she waited until the next day, and that she "stopped by" for the exam on her way to a Super Bowl party.
It also didn't help that her Mother didn't believe her.
I'd say to the extent that Fred may or may not have had all of that in front of him, if he did, he knew out the outset that the probability was high that he was going to charge an innocent young man.
After he retires, it would be an interesting interview.
If somebody really wants to write a book about this case, as I noted last year, this one has "To Kill a Mockingbird" elements to it.