NCFM: Internationally Respected Investigator Says Vladek Filler Rape Accusation is "Fabrication"

SAN DIEGO,  April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- TJ Ward, the former lead investigator in Aruba's high-profile Natalee Holloway murder case, called for Maine prosecutors to dismiss their infamous and sensationalized 4-year-old case against Vladek Filler. Mr. Ward concluded allegations against Mr. Filler are fabrications, and any further prosecution would be malicious.

In a recent radio interview (www.blogtalkradio.com/avoiceformen), Ward noted the allegation of spousal rape surfaced during a highly charged marital break-up; the accuser, Ligia Filler, had a history of emotional instability, refused the rape kit examination, and no medical or forensic evidence was presented at trial.

Other evidence pointing to Mr. Filler's innocence was disregarded, including the accuser being a known child abuser, having a criminal record, and Mr. Filler had sought a restraining order to protect him and his children from the accuser's violent abuse.

Ward highlighted Maine Department of Health and Human Services' recommendation that the children remain in Mr. Filler's custody, even after charges were filed, which was another fact prosecutors tried to suppress at trial. Filler and his children are now living in Georgia.

"It's just a shame [Mr. Filler]... is experiencing this type of behavior, when he's been exonerated, when he's not guilty with what he's charged with, and they're continuing to hound this man and run him into the ground," said Mr. Ward.

After Mr. Filler's trial, his appointed attorney Neil Fishman commented the proceeding resembled a Salem Witch Trial. On September 9, 2010, the Maine Supreme Court issued a ruling that found prosecutor Mary Kellett had "improperly encouraged the jury to use the absence of evidence" to convict Filler. The Court ordered a retrial because of prosecutorial misconduct (which begins May 23, 2011).

The National Coalition for Men is calling for a dismissal of all charges. Harry Crouch, NCFM President, says, "Retrying Mr. Filler would be persecution, not prosecution. Salem Witch Trials are long gone as should be the Filler case. Prosecutorial conduct should be investigated and, if appropriate, someone should be disciplined if not disbarred. Convicting someone on an absence of evidence is absurd."

The National Coalition For Men, Stop Abusive and Violent Environments (SAVE), A Voice for Men, other organizations and individuals have filed complaints of prosecutorial misconduct with the Governor of Maine and the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar.

For details of the Filler fiasco see www.saveservices.org.

SOURCE National Coalition For Men