MINNEAPOLIS _ Two University of Minnesota wrestlers had their suspensions from the team lifted Friday, after Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said they wouldn't be charged in a sexual assault case.
Freeman said at a morning news conference that there was "inadequate evidence" to prosecute Gable Steveson and teammate Dylan Martinez, and conflicting accounts of the alleged incident.
In a written statement, the university's athletic department said: "We became aware today of the Hennepin County Attorney's decision to bring no charges against two of our student-athletes. In accordance with our Student-Athlete Code of Conduct, we have decided to lift the suspension of the student-athletes involved. They are immediately eligible to rejoin team activities."
The two wrestlers were arrested in June on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct. They were booked and released from jail pending the investigation. Minnesota did not name the wrestlers when news of the alleged incident broke, but issued a statement noting that two athletes had been suspended from team activity.
Lee Hutton, Steveson's lawyer, said the wrestler's family was "relieved and pleased that after 100-plus days this event is over. Gable has missed matches and has not been able to participate in the sport he is so passionate about."
This was to be a big year for Steveson, a national star in the sport, and the Gophers wrestling team. Minnesota is playing host to the NCAA wrestling championship next year at U.S. Bank Stadium, and Steveson was expected to contend for a national title.
Instead, Steveson's image was scrubbed from team promotional materials. Both he and Martinez were banned from practicing or competing with the team, though they were allowed to go to classes and confer with their coach.
Steveson competed elsewhere and recently qualified for the U.S. Olympic trials, where he is a legitimate contender for a spot on the U.S. team that will go to the 2020 games in Japan next summer.
Freeman said at the news conference that he wouldn't release details of the alleged incident because his office doesn't believe in "re-victimizing the victim."
He added: "We appreciate her bravery in reporting this incident to the police."
Like all criminal prosecutions, sexual assaults must meet the standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt for a conviction, Freeman said.
"There are often conflicting versions of what happened, and this case is no exception. In the interest of justice, there is inadequate evidence to fairly charge and prosecute this case," he said.
