Freddie Gibbs Acquitted of Sexual Assault Charges in Vienna
Freddie Gibbs was acquitted Friday on charges that he sexually assaulted a woman in Vienna, Austria in July 2015. After spending four months in French and Austrian jails, the rapper will return to America following the court’s decision.
After a short trial, the Vienna regional court ultimately sided with the rapper in the case, determining that there was not enough evidence to prove that Gibbs had sex with the alleged victim, AFP reports. The woman claimed Gibbs spiked her and a friend’s drink at his Vienna hotel.
“There is no objective proof that Freddie Gibbs had sex with this woman,” Gibbs’ Austrian lawyer Thomas Kralik told Austrian media. “Independent witnesses like the hotel receptionist and a hotel guest have stated that the women were tipsy but definitely still able to walk on their own two legs.”
In a separate statement, Gibbs’ U.S. lawyer Theodore Simon said, “We have always maintained unconditionally and without any doubt that Freddie would be and now has been fully exonerated and completely vindicated. We are pleased and thankful that the Court recognized the same trust and confidence we and all of his fans have had in Freddie that justified and resulted in his absolute acquittal.”
If convicted, Gibbs faced 10 years in prison. After a European arrest warrant was issued for the rapper, Gibbs was apprehended in June prior to a concert in Toulouse, France. He was extradited to Austria to face the sexual assault charges.
Simon continued, “While we are appreciative of the verdict of not guilty, nothing has changed. The actual facts have always demonstrated that Freddie was and is 100% innocent. It is now self-evident he was wrongly accused. The trial has confirmed our belief that after a searching and complete investigation and trial the true and actual facts would be revealed – that there always was an absence of any scientific, physical, or credible evidence that would warrant in any way such an accusation. Freddie and his family look forward to returning to the States so he can resume his life and career.”