Judge in Italy ends detention for Paul Haggis in intercourse abuse case

A choose in southern Italy on Monday ordered movie director Paul Haggis launched from detention at his lodge whereas prosecutors resolve whether or not to pursue their investigation of whether or not he allegedly had intercourse with a lady with out her consent over two days, his lawyer stated.

Michele Laforgia advised The Associated Press that his consumer, who can be a screenwriter and an Academy Award winner, that Haggis was nonetheless in Italy. The ruling was made by Judge Vilma Gilli, primarily based in Puglia, which is the area that kinds the “heel” of the Italian peninsula.

The Canada-born Haggis, 69, was detained by police on June 19 in Puglia after a lady advised authorities that he had non-consensual intercourse along with her over two days whereas he was in Italy to take part in an arts competition within the vacationer city of Ostuni.

He had proclaimed his innocence, based on the lawyer.

Laforgia stated in textual content messages that the choose had dominated there have been neither indicators of violence nor abuse discovered on the lady, who prosecutors have described as younger and overseas and by Italian media as a 28-year-old Englishwoman.

The courthouse was closed Monday night and Gilli couldn’t instantly be reached for remark.

Corriere della Sera, quoting from the choose’s ruling, stated she concluded there was an “absence of constrictive violent behavior” by Haggis. The choose additionally famous within the ruling that the lady’s choice to be with Haggis in his lodgings was “spontaneous,” the Italian every day stated.

It was Gilli who on June 22, after a closed door listening to, had ordered Haggis to stay in detention whereas the investigation continued.

Prosecutors didn’t instantly say if they might transfer to drop the investigation or pursue it after the choose’s ruling.

Asked if the case may be closed, Laforgia replied “let’s see what the prosecutor’s office will do at this point.”

Haggis, who resides within the United States, has had different authorized issues. In current years, 4 ladies within the United States have alleged sexual misconduct by him.