WASHINGTON — A former University of Maryland basketball player facing rape charges made his first appearance in a Prince George’s County courtroom Thursday.
Damonte Dodd is charged with second degree rape, accused of having sex with an intoxicated woman without her consent in the early morning hours of Nov. 1, 2017.
At a bond review hearing this morning, prosecutors agreed that Dodd should be allowed out on his own personal recognizance on the condition that he refrain from contacting the alleged victim, a witness to the case, and that he stay out of the city of College Park.
The two met last fall at a College Park bar.
“We are satisfied with those conditions,” said John Erzen, a spokesman for the Prince George’s County state’s attorney’s office.
“In speaking with the victim there’s been concern about wanting to make sure that there’s no contact and that he could not come into the College Park area.”
“Those conditions are appropriate,” agreed Dodd’s lawyer, Thomas Mooney, who said this is a “he-said, she-said” case.
“I’ve heard from him. I believe him. I think justice will prevail.”
Dodd was also ordered to surrender his passport, which jeopardizes an opportunity to play professional basketball in Europe.
“I think he takes some solace in the fact that he is completely innocent,” said Mooney, “and he knows and his faith that this process will result in a not-guilty verdict.”
Dodd is due back in court for another status hearing in September. Right now the case is on track to go on trial in November.
“Mr. Dodd claims it was consensual,” said Erzen. “That’s not what we believe at this time.”
