Rape charge against BU hockey player dropped

BOSTON (WHDH) -- Rape charges were dropped against a former Boston University hockey player on Friday.

Max Nicastro, 22, was arrested on Feb. 19 after he was accused of assaulting a female student on campus. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of raping a female student. He was suspended from the team and withdrew from school.

“It’s been a hard road, but I stayed confident,” said Nicastro.

The Suffolk District Attorney said he was dropping the charges against him because there was not enough evidence and the prosecutor wouldn’t be able to prove the allegations at trial.

“At the beginning of this case Max maintained his innocence. From the beginning of this case [he] asked everybody to keep an open mind, let the experts do an investigation, a thorough investigation and that’s what they did. They spent four months, interviewed numerous witnesses, examined all the evidence and they’ve declined to prosecute -- which speaks volumes,” said defense attorney Hugh Curran.

This is the second time in recent months the DA has dropped sexual charges against a BU hockey player. A charge of assault with intent to rape against Corey Trivino was terminated, but other charges against him -- including assault and battery -- are still pending.

Boston University says both Trivino and Nicastro are not currently enrolled at the university. Nicastro's attorney says he hopes that will now change.

“His future plans, I think his major focus is to get his degree. He’s three years into a degree from Boston University and he wants to complete that process,” said Curran.