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peterellis Home / abuse allegations / Tea Ropati
/ Tea Ropati - League Star accused of rape -
Not Guilty - …..”a case that should
never have gone to trial” - Lawyer Page 4
<<< Page 5 - Further rection to verdict |
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This page last updated July 11 2008
Detective Senior Sergeant Scott
Beard said the earlier report that the police were considering a prosecution
was incorrect. Officers had to weigh the "evidential sufficiency and
public interest" of a prosecution, he said. "At this stage police
are not looking to lay any charges." The Ropati family are also no longer
considering a private prosecution. A family statement was issued saying “No
such comments were made by or endorsed by Tea Ropati. Any comments made to
that effect by other members of the family were in the heat of the moment and
as a result of the enormous stress that the family has been under," 2008-0204 - NZ Herald - Ropatis
plan to prosecute accuser 2008-0204 - One News - Rape
accuser won't be prosecuted 2008-0205 - Three News - Ropati
family rule out private prosecution 2008-0205 - NZ Herald - Ropatis
back off on suit against accuser 2008-0205 - Dominion Post -
Cocaine charge flagged
Ropati's brother, barrister
John Ropati, told the Sunday Star-Times police had ignored the
women's class A drug use. If police were going to turn a blind eye, Ropati's
family would consider prosecuting them privately, he said. He confirmed the
family were furious the woman's snorting of the class A narcotic had gone
unpunished. Asked if Tea Ropati and another brother, Peter, the Sky
broadcaster, supported the private prosecution, John Ropati replied,
"Absolutely" 2008-0203 - Sunday News - Police
probe drugs use by Tea's accuser 2008-0204 - NZ Herald - Ropatis
plan to prosecute accuser 2008-0203 - Sunday Star Times -
Ropatis considering prosecution of rape accuser
The Sunday News prints a couple of
stories about Tea Ropati’s brothers that each have little relevance 2008-0203 - Sunday News - Brother
No 1 - Peter Ropati's meltdown moment 2008-0203 - Sunday News -
Brother No 2 - A relative breakdown
The NZ Herald suggests the Ropati
case has revealed a seedy underbelly to Auckland's nightlife. Ropati accepted
that he had an alcohol problem. Ropati’s lawyer, Gary Gotlieb said it
was a pity the complainant did not accept that she had one. But Gotlieb said, Ropati, at his age,
married with a beautiful wife, was a bloody idiot. You just learn from that.
“That's why I said about the alcohol, he would not have got himself in that
situation if he had been sober.” Vanessa Ropati, later in the month
said her husband's infidelity was a "drunken mistake” Letter writers to The Press and
the Otago Daily Times condemn Ropati for his actions, referring to his
actions with an intoxicated woman. They fail to acknowledge that Ropati was
also intoxicated, and had had no knowledge of the previous alcohol and drugs
that the woman had consumed. 2008-0202 - NZ Herald - Dicing
with Drink 2008-0202 - NZ Herald - Bar group were
happy but not write-offs, says manager 2008-0207 - The Press - Ropati no
hero 2008-0208 - Otago Daily Times -
Verdict in Ropati case 2008-0217 - Sunday News - My man made
a stupid and drunken mistake
An employee of a youth trust run by
Tea Ropati says the trust has been weakened by the case. "It will never
be back to normal, regardless of what happens," Catherine Manning said. 2008-0202 - NZ Herald - Rape case
'has hurt' star's youth trust
The woman at the centre
of the allegations against Tea Ropati was not in court when the jury came
back yesterday, but wept when she heard of the six not-guilty verdicts. The
woman - who cannot be named for legal reasons - was shocked by the news.
"While I'm devastated by the verdicts I have no regrets about coming
forward and would still encourage any woman who endures this type of
experience to do so. This is the only way we can make sure that our society
remains safe for women." She said she is still
undergoing counselling. She said at one stage, she had even considered seeing
a hypnotist in the hope it might help her recall more detail about what
occurred with Ropati The woman's family said they were
astounded and devastated. "We fear for the ongoing safety of women in
New Zealand but strongly urge people to continue coming forward if they have
been a victim of sexual assault," they said. They were shocked by lawyer
Gary Gotlieb's accusation that police charged Ropati only to make a name for
the newly formed adult sexual abuse unit. "It is unfathomable for us to
comprehend ... that our family member, after going through such a difficult
trial, continues to be denigrated by the defence team. Gary Gotlieb said that he could
have been harsher in his comments. "I think they could be in self-denial
of her role in the whole thing." The officer in charge of the case,
Detective
Nicolas Poore of the adult sexual assault team, told the Herald the woman
was upset but philosophical. He said police knew the case would be difficult
to prove. 2008-0201 - NZ Herald - Woman
weeps at verdicts 2008-0201 - Dominion Post -
Ropati accuser devastated 2008-0202 - NZ Herald -
Ropati acquittal 'may deter' sex crime complaints 2008-0203 - NZ Herald - Tea's
accuser: 'I did my part and I'm proud of that'
Tea Ropati had been earlier
charged with drink driving, relating to an incident on January 1. This case
was heard on February 1, following his acquittal on the more serious sexual
allegations. He was disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to
pay a $620 fine and $130 of court costs 2008-0113 - NZ Herald - Ropati
charged 2008-0131 - Newstalk ZB -
Cleared Tea Ropati back in court 2008-0201 - NZ Herald - Ropati
glad court ordeals are over |
