Charges dropped in Notre Dame rape case

SOUTH BEND, Ind., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- A special prosecutor has dismissed rape charges against former Notre Dame football players Lorenzo Crawford and Justin Smith.

Maureen Devlin announced she would not proceed with the scheduled trials of Crawford and Smith, two of the four men accused of sexually assaulting a female student in March 2002.

The others were Donald Dykes and Abram Elam.

According to the South Bend Tribune, Devlin said she made her decision after talking with the former female football manager who accused the four players of sexually assaulting her at Smith's off-campus home.

All four were acquainted with the alleged victim.

"I'm certainly elated about the situation for them," Crawford's attorney, André Gammage, told the paper. "I know how stressful it's been. I'm happy the state came to this conclusion."

Dykes has been found innocent, and Elam was convicted of the lesser charge of sexual battery. All four were expelled shortly after the incident occurred.