Cops Studying Tyson Rape Allegation
P H O E N I X, July 31, 2001 -- Sheriff's detectives in California are far fromcharging Mike Tyson as they investigate a sexual-assaultallegation.
"I would say an arrest is not imminent, and we don't have awarrant for his arrest," Chip Patterson, a San Bernardino Countysheriff's spokesman, said Monday. "We are still in the position ofinvestigating an allegation that was made against him.
"I think, in the final analysis, the case likely will besubmitted to the district attorney for his review."
Patterson said the department would ask the 35-year-old formerheavyweight champion to speak with investigators but had no way tocompel him to answer questions before or after filing charges.
"We are actively cooperating with the local San BernardinoCounty district attorney," said Darrow Soll, Tyson's attorney inPhoenix.
Tyson did not respond to reporters waiting outside a temporarychain-link fence when he arrived at the Madison Gym in centralPhoenix for Monday's sparring session.
On Sunday, Soll called the allegation "without merit" and saidhe expected the investigation to clear Tyson.
Police Not Ready to Say Rape
Tyson's latest brush with the law developed when a womancontacted deputies July 24 and alleged he assaulted her July 16 ata house he rents during training sessions in Big Bear City, Calif.
Patterson declined to comment on the woman's condition, but saidsome of the evidence gathered was physical.
"Her condition is something I don't want to disclose at thispoint," he said, adding, "We haven't been using the word 'rape.'I'm not at liberty to use it yet. We're trying to be nondescript onpurpose."
Tyson was convicted of rape and related charges in 1992 andspent more than three years in an Indiana prison. Other women,including actress Robin Givens, his first wife, have accused him ofabuse.
He had a minor incident earlier this month when he walked out ofa store without paying for $25 worth of candy. But the store ownerssaid Tyson returned to apologize, saying he thought his companions hadpaid for the candy.
Tyson left California last week and resumed training in Phoenixfor a planned fight Sept. 8 with Danish boxer Brian Nielsen inCopenhagen.
Boxers, including Oscar De La Hoya, train at Big Bear. The6,500-foot altitude helps develop aerobic conditioning, but Tyson and trainerTommy Brooks move to Phoenix in the summer.
Tyson believes working out sans air conditioning in thetriple-digit temperatures of the low desert help him shed fat andbuild mental toughness.
He needs the fight in Denmark to sharpen his skills.
Tyson's last bout was Oct. 20 at Auburn Hills, Mich., whenAndrew Golota quit after two rounds. Tyson is the WBC's top-rankedcontender, and is supposed to have a mandatory challenge ofheavyweight champion Hasim Rahman in November.