New York District Attorney Questioned About Patrick Kane Case

The district attorney's office has not yet confirmed an existing investigation

For the first time since the case opened, reporters on Wednesday questioned the district attorney in Erie County, New York, about the investigation into an incident that allegedly occurred at Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane's home.

District Attorney Frank Sedita met with reporters to discuss another topic, but he also took about 10 minutes to explain why he will not say anything about the case.

"I am absolutely astounded by how quickly people come to opinions and how they pour concrete so fast without having one single fact," Sedita said.

Although Hamburg Police confirmed Friday that the department is looking into an incident that allegedly happened at Kane's home the weekend of Aug. 1, Sedita's office has not confirmed any existing investigation.

Kane has not been charged with a crime, but the Buffalo News reported last week that law enforcement sources say Kane is the focus of an investigation into an allegation of rape.

"What happens if that investigation — after I've announced that this person is under investigation — what happens if that investigation clears somebody?" Sedita said. "The point is, that person cannot get their reputation back. That person will always have a cloud over their head." 

The district attorney insisted that a celebrity would be treated the same as anybody else, but he did not reference Kane when he made the comment.

"I don't turn up extra heat on someone because they're a celebrity," Sedita said. "And I don't give them a break because they're a celebrity."

Sedita added that his only guiding principle on any case is whether admissible evidence demonstrates a crime has been committed. He did not provide any time frame for when the decision will be made.

Sedita's remarks were delivered the same day that video game company EA Sports announced it was dropping Kane as a spokesperson for the launch of NHL 16 and pulling him from the cover.

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