Sep 18, 2009 1:08 am US/Eastern
Hofstra Accuser Hiding Out In New York City
Day After Bombshell Twist In Rape Story, Danmell Ndonye Holed Up Inside Father's Home; Campus Angered Over Ordeal
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Four men wrongly accused in a gang rape at Hofstra University on Sunday were released September 16, 2009, as the alleged victim told prosecutors she made it all up.
CBS
She's been kicked out of college and is facing possible criminal charges. The woman who wrongly accused five men of rape is hiding out.
And now CBS 2 HD knows why she took back her horrific story.
Danmell Ndonye, 18, was with her father Thursday night at a Riverside Drive apartment building and had no comment.
She's wasn't talking about her recanted claims she was tied up and gang raped inside a Hofstra University dormitory bathroom after a video of the incident emerged and shot holes in her original assertions.
Prosecutors said she cracked and changed her story when they told her about a videotape.
"The turning point was when she was confronted with the fact that there may exist a video of some or all of the incident. The woman began to reveal the truth about what happened," Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said.
Investigators said the video showed no ropes, no ties and no force.
Prosecutors said the rape accusations against a Hofstra student and four other men who are not enrolled at the university may have been a cover story made up to appease a jealous boyfriend.
Kevin Tavares had this to say about being wrongly accused and forced behind bars for three days.
"I'm happy that the truth is out and we can clear our names," Tavares said.
Hofstra students told CBS 2 HD on Thursday night the case makes them angry.
"Her false accusations hurt a lot of people. Yes, it hurt the gentlemen who spent time it jail. It hurt the university. It hurt the university's reputation and it hurt Nassau County financially," student Zach Parker said.
"I think full charges should be pressed against her because that's just not right," Robert Koulakjian said.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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