What's happened
Benjamin Mendy and Louis Saha Matturie were found not guilty of rape charges against a 19-year-old woman.
Why it matters
The trial of a high-profile footballer and his friend accused of rape is significant and newsworthy. The verdict is important for the accused and the victim, and it highlights the challenges of prosecuting sexual assault cases.
What the papers say
The Independent, BBC News, Sky News, and The Guardian all reported on the trial and the verdict. They provided similar information, but some sources included more details about the trial and the evidence presented.
How we got here
The trial began in August 2022, with the prosecution claiming that Mendy and Matturie were sexual predators and monsters. The trial lasted 16 weeks, during which the defense argued that the allegations were inconsistent and flawed. One of the complainants was caught on video having enthusiastic sex with Matturie on an occasion she claimed she was being raped. The judge directed the jury to acquit both men of the charges against her.
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