ATTLEBORO, Mass. — Prosecutors have dropped their case against an 18-year-old man accused of raping a 17-year-old girl at a summer Keith Urban concert at which dozens of people were treated for excessive drinking.
Prosecutor Mary-Elizabeth Mack said at a Thursday hearing in Attleboro District Court the case against Sean Murphy was ended after “extensive” conversations with the girl, who agreed with the decision, The Sun Chronicle reported.
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Murphy’s lawyers have said he regrets the encounter with the girl but it was consensual. They said Thursday that 15 to 20 people came forward after his case was publicized to say they saw what happened.
“What we thought all along has been borne out. It was a consensual act,” defense lawyer Neil Crowley said. “No crime was committed.”
Crowley said Murphy and his family were “devastated” by the allegations and didn’t want to comment. He said Murphy has no criminal record and has wanted to serve in the military.
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Police said Murphy and the girl were drinking and didn’t know each other before the July 26 concert at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield.
Police said the pair began kissing near a concession stand and then Murphy led the girl by the hand to a lawn area. Some onlookers recorded what happened next on cellphones and told police. Police said a bystander pulled Murphy away and the girl said she had not consented to have sex.
Authorities dealt with almost 50 alcohol-related illnesses involving underage drinkers at the concert, the newspaper reported. Urban said a few days later: “This type of behavior stands in stark contrast to the spirit of our shows.”
