On Wednesday night, it was discovered that Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia and his friend and former college teammate, Greg Dietich, were indicted, but never prosecuted, for assaulting a college student during a 1996 trip to South Padre Island.
Here is what to know:
The allegations
According to Texas court records, Patricia was charged with aggravated sexual assault, but he was never prosecuted for it. Greg Dietrich, Patricia’s friend and former college teammate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, also was accused in the sexual assault and was not prosecuted.
According to a 1996 article by the Brownsville (Texas) Herald, the alleged victim was a college student on spring break.
According to the newspaper, Patricia and Dietrich burst into a room at the Radisson hotel and took turns assaulting the student, whom had befriended them on the beach.
More: Lions coach Matt Patricia says he was 'falsely accused' of 1996 sex assault for which he was charged
South Padre Island Police Chief E. E. Eunice told the Herald that the victim told police she was sleeping in a friend's room when she was awakened by Patricia and Dietrich.
"They were also students and casual friends," Eunice told the newspaper in 1996. "She told us she had palled around with them for a few days."
According to the newspaper, the incident happened at about 6 p.m. and both Patricia, then 22, and Dietrich, then 21, were arrested later that same night after the victim identified them. They were charged with sexual assault and released on bond.
What happened to the charges?
According to records in Cameron County Circuit Court, Patricia was indicted in August of 1996. The case was dismissed five months later, in January of 1997.
According to court documents obtained by the Detroit Free Press, the charges against Patricia and Dietrich were dropped because the accuser was unwilling to testify.
In a handwritten note explaining why the District Attorney’s office was seeking a dismissal, the prosecutor wrote:
“Victim is unable to testify and cannot give a date certain when she will be available. Victim does not feel she can face the pressures or stress of a trial. Victim may request that the case be recalled at a later date.”
The note was written on Jan. 28, 1997 by Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline Reynolds-Church, who is now in private practice.
The case was never reopened.
Patricia denies allegations
Hours after the news broke, Patricia issued a statement saying he was "falsely accused."
"As someone who was falsely accused of this very serious charge over 22 years ago, and never given the opportunity to defend myself and clear my name, I find it incredibly unfair, disappointing, and frustrating that this story would resurface now with the only purpose being to damage my character and reputation," Patricia said in the statement, which was released by the team. "I firmly maintain my innocence, as I have always done.
“I would never condone any of the behavior that was alleged and will always respect and protect the rights of anyone who has been harassed or is the victim of violence. My priorities remain the same — to move forward and strive to be the best coach, teacher, and man that I can possibly be.”
Lions standing with their coach
Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford, general manager Bob Quinn and president Rod Wood issued a joint statement Wednesday saying the incident did not show up on Patricia's "standard pre-employment background check."
The organization said it remains in support of the 43-year-old first-time head coach.
"The Detroit Lions are aware that a criminal charge involving sexual assault was brought against Matt Patricia in 1996," the statement read. "Matt was 21 at the time and on spring break in Texas. The charge was dismissed by the prosecutor at the request of the complaining individual prior to trial. As a result, Coach Patricia never had the opportunity to present his case or clear his name publicly in a court of law. He has denied that there was any factual basis for the charge. There was no settlement agreement with the complaining individual, no money exchanged hands and there was no confidentiality agreement. In discussions today with Lions management, the reporter involved acknowledged that the allegations have not been substantiated.
“As an organization, The Detroit Lions take allegations regarding sexual assault or harassment seriously. Coach Patricia was the subject of a standard pre-employment background check which did not disclose this issue. We have spoken to Coach Patricia about this at length as well as the attorney who represented him at the time. Based upon everything we have learned, we believe and have accepted Coach Patricia’s explanation and we will continue to support him. We will continue to work with our players and the NFL to further awareness of and protections for those individuals who are the victims of sexual assault or violence.”
NFL looking in to matter
The NFL said in a statement Thursday morning that it will look into the allegations.
"We will review the matter with the club to understand the allegations and what the club has learned," league spokesman Brian McCarthy wrote in a statement.
The Patriots have not responded to questions about whether they were aware of the allegations during Patricia's 14 years of employment with the team.
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