CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – Documents from the Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office confirm the criminal sexual conduct charge against Ray Lewis III has been dismissed.
The dismissal form was sent to the Horry County Clerk of Court on June 9.
“Lawyers looked at all the evidence,” said Lewis’ attorney, Tommy Brittain, “It looks like they did an exhaustive search, which we hoped that they would do and in the end they decided the case should not go forward.”
Brittain said the turn out is unusual in our legal system.
“And I think it is a great thing that this young man can now move on with his life without having to face any of these charges,” he added.
Former Coastal Carolina University football player and son of former NFL star Ray Lewis was arrested in April of last year for criminal sexual conduct third degree. The arrest was made after two women, 18 and 19 years old, were treated at a local hospital on Jan. 23 for sexual assault. The incident is reported to have happened across from CCU’s campus at an apartment on Technology Boulevard.
News13 asked Solicitor Jimmy Richardson why the charges were dropped a year after Lewis was arrested.
“Conway Police did what they were supposed to do,” said Richardson. “They went out and did a preliminary investigation and at that point made an arrest. That arrest is based upon probable cause.”
However, Richardson said there was not enough evidence to prove Lewis committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Was there enough for an arrest? Sure. Does that go beyond a reasonable doubt? Not in this case,” he added. “We interviewed every witness, re-interviewed every witness and just found out it was a case that was non-prosecutable.”
Joshua Holford, Senior Assistant Solicitor with the Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office stated the charge was dropped after a thorough investigation. “We looked through interviews, toxicology reports and did more in depth investigating, but felt that we didn’t have sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to take the case to trial,” said Holford.
Lewis’ attorney said he hopes Lewis can get into a school and use the rest of his collegiate eligibility.
“The last year has been very hard for him and his family,” added Brittain. “We feel really good about the decision that has been made, he felt from the start that there was no case. He’s happy the system worked this time and the right decision was made,” said Brittain.
Brittain also said this restored his faith in the legal process.
“It’s easy to get down on our institutions and feel like they don’t work,” he added. “From my standpoint, having done this for 40 years, I’m glad to see the system work.”
News13 reached out to CCU spokesperson Martha Hunn for comment and Hunn stated that “the university doesn’t provide statements on individual student-related investigations.”
