Lawyer for Patrick Kane Accuser Comments on Rape Investigation

The investigation into rape allegations against Chicago Blackhawks superstar Patrick Kane took a bizarre turn Wednesday as the accuser's attorney revealed some troubling details at a press conference, only to have those claims refuted by local police officials later that day.

According to TSN's Frank Seravalli, attorney Thomas Eoannou claimed that his client's rape kit bag was anonymously delivered to the home of the accuser's mother Tuesday. Per Seravalli, Eoannou said he was able to confirm the authenticity of the rape kit bag, which was torn open and contained nothing inside.

However, according to Stacy St. Clair of the Chicago Tribune, Kane's lawyer, Paul Cambria, said he has "nothing that demonstrates this bag is the bag."

John Glasscott, Erie County Commissioner of Central Police Services denied that the rape kit had been stolen or compromised, per Dan Herbeck of the Buffalo News:

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All evidence related to this case that was given to Erie County Central Police Services by the Town of Hamburg Police Department is accounted for and remains in its original packaging in the possession of Erie County Central Police Services. This includes the evidence in the rape kit and the packaging itself. This evidence has been analyzed and reports of that analysis sent to the appropriate agencies.

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The Hamburg Police Department also released a statement via Facebook regarding Eoannou's comments:

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In regard to the information conveyed today by Mr. Thomas Eoannou, the Hamburg Police Department will cooperate with any authorized investigation regarding the handling of evidence and the procedure of such. That said, The Hamburg Police Department has documentation that unequivocally demonstrates that its handling of the evidence and the integrity of its chain of custody of evidence in this case is unassailable. As is policy with active investigations, there will be no further comment regarding this situation.

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Cambria went on to say Kane would be the most negatively affected by evidence tampering because they wouldn't be able to do their own tests if necessary.

He added that only someone who is unhappy with the results would tamper with the DNA evidence, per St. Clair.

This photo, courtesy of WGN TV News, shows Eoannou holding up the rape kit bag found at the home of his client's mother:

Rob Elgas of ABC7 in Chicago captured a snapshot of photos that were taken of the rape kit bag:

Eoannou also discussed the seriousness of such a huge piece of evidence being tampered with, according to Tim Graham of the Buffalo News:

In addition to that, Eoannou touched on the toll that rape cases can take on alleged victims, including his own client, per Seravalli:

ESPN's Jemele Hill chimed in with her understanding of why accusers might be more willing to engage in a civil lawsuit rather than a criminal trial:

Despite that school of thought, Eoannou insists there is no plan to pursue a civil suit at this point:

He also made it clear that his client remains undeterred despite the latest happenings:

Although the allegations against Kane are serious, he has been permitted to take part in the Blackhawks' training camp thus far. He also played in Chicago's preseason opener against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night and recorded an assist.

According to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league does not intend to prevent Kane from playing within the current landscape of the case.

The Blackhawks' decision to allow Kane to be with the team has been criticized by some observers, although fans were supportive during the preseason opener by welcoming him to the ice with cheers.

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