A Northern Illinois University police officer accused of
sexually assaulting a student in October 2011 has pleaded not guilty to the
charge.
Andrew Rifkin entered the plea Wednesday and asked the court
to note previous court rulings, including one that found NIU police intentionally
withheld evidence favorable to him.
Last year, DeKalb County prosecutors dropped felony charges
against the 25-year-old Rifkin after questions arose about whether the police
department suppressed information in the case. Rifkin was accused of sexually
assaulting a female student with whom he had a relationship.
The (DeKalb) Daily Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/X82HM8)
State's Attorney Richard Schmack, who took office in December, said he
reinstated the charge against Rifkin after learning former State's Attorney
Clay Campbell did not consult the alleged victim before dropping the charge.