UI, Prosecutor Struggle w/Dropped Rape Charges

Item: Rape charges against former University of Idaho student David Barkdull were dropped Friday after Latah County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Evans filed a motion for dismissal, stating that there was not sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Barkdull was guilty. Barkdull, 23, was charged with the alleged rape of an 18-year-old female UI student at the Kappa Sigma fraternity house in the early morning of Sept. 9. He entered a plea of not guilty at an arraignment in October, and his trial was set to begin Monday. Barkdull is a Kappa Sigma alumnus and a former Argonaut employee.

More Info: “In Idaho, lack of consent is not sufficient enough to prove a charge of rape,” Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson added. “Idaho law is a hindrance in prosecuting rape cases, especially those that occur in a university social environment.”

Related: Drawing the line: An examination of Idaho’s rape law /Caitlin Rice, UI Argonaut; and: Code isn’t sufficient for trying rape cases /UI Argonaut editorial