Attorney Releases Brown Rape Case Testimony

Proclaiming Jim Brown’s innocence of rape charges, the actor and former football star’s attorney Thursday released grand jury transcripts in which two close female friends testified that Brown was attempting to halt a fight on the evening last February that the alleged victim was injured.

Carol Moses, 23, a dancer who said she lived in Brown’s Hollywood Hills home, told the grand jury that Brown was in another room when the alleged rape victim attempted to molest her in Brown’s bedroom. Moses testified that she responded by “sock(ing) her in the eye” and the alleged victim then went into the kitchen and grabbed a knife.

Brown subsequently entered the room and wrestled the knife away from the woman, “scuffling” with her for about 10 minutes, Moses continued.

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Leah Wallace, 26, a former girlfriend, backed Moses’ story, testifying that Brown was in the living room with her and two others when the ruckus began.

The alleged rape victim, who has been described as a 33-year-old teacher, told prosecutors that she was alone in the house with Brown and Moses when the two sexually assaulted her after she resisted Brown’s advances.

Explaining his decision to release the transcript, Brown’s attorney, Johnnie L. Cochran Jr., said: “It supports his case, absolutely.” Deputy Dist. Atty. Dino Fulgoni said Thursday that his office is investigating the women’s claims.

“I’m not accusing anybody of lying,” Fulgoni said, “but it wouldn’t be the first time people have given friends alibis.”

A preliminary hearing for Brown, who is free on bail, is scheduled for June 18 in Los Angeles Municipal Court.