No Case Against Olowokandi

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office on Friday decided not to file charges against Clipper center Michael Olowokandi, who was arrested Dec. 1 and charged with suspicion of cohabitant abuse, false imprisonment and robbery.

“Viewed in their totality, the facts and circumstances surrounding this occurrence do not give rise to the burden of proof [beyond a reasonable doubt] that is required for criminal prosecution,” said Kathleen Diesman, a deputy district attorney.

Olowokandi expressed relief Friday, hours before the Clippers played the Lakers at Staples Center. “I’m not trying to cry victim,” he said, “but my name has been out there [linked to the charges] and it’s definitely affected me.”

Olowokandi’s former girlfriend, Suzanne Ketcham, at first told police he had injured her, but later changed her story. She says she attacked Olowokandi in a jealous rage. She also says Olowokandi never struck her.

Ketcham did not return a phone call asking for further comment Friday.

Many district attorneys will file charges despite a victim’s decision to recant, according to Tom Lyon, a professor at USC Law School who specializes in family violence.

“They are more vigilant since the O.J. [Simpson] case,” said Lyon, who stressed that he was unfamiliar with the Olowokandi case. “Sometimes they will subpoena the victim over their refusal to cooperate. It’s become so typical that a lot of D.A.’s have policies in place. Sometimes they will still bring charges, especially if there is good physical evidence. Any prosecutor will tell you, ‘I see this all the time.”’

Said Olowokandi: “The cause of women who go through spousal abuse and truly are violated ... this case does them an injustice. It’s not a joking matter. It’s not something to be used for the furtherance of someone’s career.”

Olowokandi was angry at the way the case was handled by Manhattan Beach police and, in particular, Detective Karl Nilsson. Nilsson had said several days after Olowokandi’s arrest: “I’m not a judge, but the victim did not beat herself up nor did she rob herself of property.”

Nilsson also had suggested there were past incidents of domestic violence at Olowokandi’s home, a charge the player denied.

Nilsson could not be reached for comment Friday.

“As calm as I am, I also see myself as a realistic person,” Olowokandi said. “There have been a lot of people who have been tried and convicted who are innocent. It did enter my mind. But I was assured the D.A. was very competent, and she would make the right decision.”

Olowokandi, who says the police never interviewed him, was prepared to tell his side of the story to the district attorney’s office in a meeting Thursday, but he says he was never called to speak. Instead, George Bird, Olowokandi’s attorney, presented physical evidence, photos and the statements of several witnesses.

“Michael said after the arrest that the truth will come out,” Bird said. “It took two weeks, but the truth finally did come out. It was better than having to wait two or three months for a trial, where he would have been found not guilty.”

Added Bill Duffy, Olowokandi’s agent: “These types of matters are very precarious because of the public attention they draw, but our position all along has been that Michael was innocent of any wrongdoing.”

Elton Brand, a Clipper forward, also expressed relief that charges were not filed against Olowokandi.

“It’s great that it’s all behind us now,” he said. “We didn’t want it weighing on his mind or our minds. He tried not to show it, but I’m sure it had to be weighing heavily on his mind.”