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Jury acquits former Michigan State basketball star Mateen Cleaves of sexual assault.

Posted at 4:46 PM, Aug 20, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-20 17:04:21-04

FLINT, Mich. — A jury has found Mateen Cleaves not guilty of criminal sexual conduct.

He was accused of raping a woman in 2015.

Jurors begun deliberating in the sexual assault trial of former Michigan State basketball star Mateen Cleaves Tuesday afternoon.

A panel of nine women and three men received the case Tuesday after attorneys delivered closing arguments.

Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor David Champine said the alleged victim didn't want to have sex with Cleaves and told him so.

Defense attorney Michael Manley said the sex was consensual and that the woman lied because she felt bad about cheating on her boyfriend with Cleaves.

Cleaves was charged with criminal sexual conduct, assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct and unlawful imprisonment in a 2015 incident that occurred after a charity golf event.

Cleaves led Michigan State to the NCAA basketball championship in 2000 and played for four NBA teams.

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