I’ll fight through adversity – Hayne
DANIELLE LE MESSURIER AND JANET FIFE-YEOMANS
NRL star Jarryd Hayne has described his looming legal battle over claims he raped a virgin in the United States as a “fight through a bit of adversity” as he returned to training with the Parramatta Eels for the first time in nearly four years.
Hayne, speaking for the first time since it was revealed last month he was being sued by a woman who claims he raped her in 2015 while he was playing for the San Francisco 49ers, continued to deny the allegations but refused to answer specific questions about the matter.
“It’s just one of them things you gotta’ go through. You gotta’ fight through a bit of adversity. As players we go through all sorts of things and this is the situation I’m in and we’ll go through it,” he said.
“I vehemently deny the allegations. I think I’ve made that pretty clear through my lawyers.”
Hayne said he “can’t remember” whether he told his family about the allegations prior to them surfacing in the media.
“It’s been tough for them. It’s been pretty emotional too just seeing them get ambushed and I guess that sort of thing was pretty disappointing and hard to watch and listen to but they’re strong. We’ll get through this,” he said.
Hayne said he was restricted in speaking about the allegations.
“Obviously after the court case is finished ... I can and I will, so we’ve gotta’ let the justice system do what a justice system is meant to do and that’s about it,” he said.
It was also revealed yesterday Hayne had hired high profile Los Angeles lawyer Mark Baute who successfully defended NBA star Derrick Rose two years ago over claims he gang raped his ex-girlfriend.
Rose was alleged to have raped the 30-year-old college student along with two of his friends while she was incapacitated from drugs or alcohol.
During the jury trial, Rose’s defence lawyers tarred the woman as a liar who was angry he had dumped her and alleged she had brought the lawsuit in hopes of a big payout. The woman, who cried in court, had originally sought $21.5 million.
Hayne also released a written statement via his Australian lawyers Madison Marcus Law Firm.
“I confirm that I unequivocally and vehemently deny the allegations made against me and I will be vigorously defending the matter.”
AS PLAYERS WE GO THROUGH ALL SORTS OF THINGS AND THIS IS THE SITUATION I’M IN AND WE’LL GO THROUGH IT
Mr Baute was confident Hayne would be cleared.
“Mr Hayne is innocent and will ask a United States jury to find him innocent. There is no objective evidence of any sexual assault in this matter and the lawsuit lacks merit,” he said.
The Santa Clara woman filed a civil complaint in California alleging Hayne raped her while she was drunk in December 2015. Hayne was interviewed by police but charges were not laid because there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a criminal case.