Stanford Clears Witnesses to Alleged Assault

Bystanders at a Stanford University fraternity party who had been accused of cheering on a drunken football player while he allegedly tried to rip the clothes off four young women were guilty of nothing but slow-wittedness, according to an official university report.

In her findings, which were released Friday to the purported participants and witnesses at the Beta Theta Pi house party last November, university judicial affairs officer Sally Cole said:

“I think it is reasonable to give the benefit of the doubt to those bystanders who did not try to help; they were slow-witted, perhaps, but not malicious.”

The women claimed that David Keane, 20, a 6-foot, 2-inch, 215-pound sophomore football player, ripped at their clothes while his friends stood around laughing and cheering. Keane, not a member of the fraternity, was quoted as saying he was too drunk to remember the events.

Suspended From School

He was arrested on charges of sexual battery and simple battery. He was suspended by the university, but authorities declined to say whether he will be reinstated in time for the fall football season.

The fraternity was placed on probation for a short time.

Cole said she interviewed those present at the alleged incident and concluded that there had been some exaggeration in the initial accounts. She said most witnesses indicated they were laughing at Keane for being so drunk, not at the four women.