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D’Angelo acquitted – Metro US

D’Angelo acquitted

A former beer magnate was acquitted yesterday by a judge who said he is “probably” guilty of sexual assault but that conflicting and equally credible testimony left him with reasonable doubt.

The now 22-year-old woman accused Frank D’Angelo of grabbing her, stripping her and forcing her to have sex in a hotel room in June 2007.

D’Angelo, the former owner of Steelback Brewery who turns 50 this week, maintained the sex with his longtime friend’s daughter was consensual.

Yesterday, Justice John Hamilton said there was little evidence for him to consider other than the two stories. While Hamilton said he found the evidence of D’Angelo and his accuser credible, he added “at most, he may be or probably is guilty.”

“But I am left with a reasonable doubt on the totality of the evidence and so he is acquitted,” Hamilton said.

Outside court D’Angelo’s lawyer, Gary Clewley, dismissed the judge’s comment and stressed that his client had been acquitted.

Court heard that the woman from Aurora, Ont., met D’Angelo for lunch in hopes of landing a job as an events co-ordinator at the Steelback Grand Prix.