Hoge Fenton Attorney Provides Statement on Prosecution Decision in De Anza Rape Case

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Barbara Spector, attorney with Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel, released
the following statement today regarding California Attorney General
Jerry Brown's announcement regarding the De Anza Rape Case:

Following the Attorney General's confirmation of the District
Attorney's decision not to file criminal charges in the De Anza Rape
Case, there have been many requests for the victim's reaction to that
decision.

As her attorneys in the civil lawsuit, we believe the public is
sensitive to the fact that it is our intention to protect our client's
privacy and to maximize the opportunity for the successful prosecution
of the defendants in this matter.

We are aware that the public has been waiting for fourteen months
for answers and that the Attorney General reported that many of the
men questioned during the criminal investigation refused to talk;
however, the facts surrounding the event will be developed and made
public during the course of civil legal proceedings.

While we are disappointed with the decisions not to criminally
prosecute, we do agree with Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith's
statement that a crime had occurred and with state officials'
characterization of what happened on March 3, 2007, as reprehensible.

The Attorney General's decision has eliminated an element of
uncertainty as to when and how we will be proceeding and will give the
victim much greater control in moving forward with her civil case
which will bring out the truth; assure that parties are held
responsible; and put others on notice that their wrongdoing has
serious consequences.

We remain convinced that how these men acted is wrong, morally and
legally. Our client is committed to pursuing her civil remedies, in
large part to send a needed message that behavior such as these young
men displayed is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

About Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel

Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel, Inc., is a San Jose, California-based
law firm.

Shev Rush Public Relations
Shev Rush, 760-567-4321
Shelley Boose, 408-398-6987

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