Gang Rape Victim's Recantation Leads To Release Of 4 Accused Men

September 17, 2009 5:32 p.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - Four young men accused of gang-raping a Hofstra University freshman in a dorm toilet have been released from jail after their alleged victim recanted her charges against them.

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice told reporters at a news conference Thursday that the 16-year-old student withdrew her story after a lengthy interview with prosecutors late Wednesday.

A lawyer of one of the accused also said the accuser's description of the alleged gang rape does not match with the scene shown on a short cell phone video of the incident taken by a fifth man she accused of raping her.

Following the recantation, Kevin Taveras, 20, Stalin Felipe, 19, Rondell Bedward, 21, and a fourth man arrested shortly after the incident was reported on Sunday were released from jail. The fifth man who was being sought by police when the recantation happened was no longer arrested.

The alleged rape victim, whom Rice only identified as a troubled woman, may be facing charges of making false statements to police. She has been suspended from Hofstra University pending a disciplinary hearing, the school's spokesman said.