According to Brazilian news outlet Globo, the Court of Justice of Rio de Janeiro has dropped one charge against U.S. Olympian Ryan Lochte following the infamous gas station incident during the Olympics last summer.
Back in August, Lochte was indicted for “false reporting of a crime” for falsely stating that he and three teammates were robbed at gunpoint in an interview with NBC News. However, on Thursday, July 13th, Rio’s Fifth Criminal Chamber of the Court of Justice closed a criminal case against Lochte by accepting a habeas corpus petition in his defense.
In the ruling, the judges found that “”there is only a crime of false communication of a crime when the police take action from the narrative of the alleged victim – not when the story is officially registered after the authority has already begun to act.”
Lochte still stands against the city of Rio de Janeiro with two other charges.
Having served out his USA Swimming suspension due to the incident (though he is still banned from FINA World Championships this month), Lochte is making his return to the pool this weekend at the 2017 L.A. Invite.
Free Ryan!
Free kodak!
Why are we still talking about this we all know Brazilian authorities will keep talking and talking about eventually leading to all the charges being dropped and nothing coming of it so let’s just skip to it already
At the very worst he’ll have to pay a measly fine and I don’t even see that holding through anymore of they were gonna do something they should’ve by now
Ryan dropped out of the L.A. invite.
Oh
Lochte said, “I’m scratching from the meet this weekend because I have not been able to train the way I feel I need to train because of Caiden being born. My family, Kayla, and Caiden is my first priority and my goal is to be at an elite level by Pan Pacs next year. Thank you all for your support.”
Remember when Swimmer? said Lochte was in the middle of heavy training?
excellent photo choice.
UVA and Paterno apologists are upset that an issue can find a resolution.
Jeah
I guess it’s karma that the former Rio state governor was just sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption and money laundering, for — get this —- the Car Wash probe.
Justice done at last. “let the Rio one go, let the Rio one go.” Great decision for life, sport, and Ryan. Happy Saturday all.