Nick Carter Cleared of Charges for Alleged 2003 Rape of Melissa Schuman
Nick Carter will not be prosecuted for allegedly raping Dream member Melissa Schuman 15 years ago, as police have confirmed to The Los Angeles Times that the statute of limitations on the case has expired.
Schuman, who filed a police report in February, noted in a blog post published Tuesday (September 11) that she was “aware of the likelihood that my case was not prosecutable due to the statute of limitations in California regarding rape which was modified in 2016.” Still, she noted that she was disappointed in the decision made by authorities.
“It is unfortunate that the law isn’t fully retroactive to accommodate assaults that have happened in the past, regardless of how far back,” Schuman wrote. “It gives me great solace to know that my testimony is fully documented, investigated and sealed for the future if needed by law enforcement...Speaking out was the best thing I could have ever done for myself and I hope it inspires others to do the same if it feels right to them.”
Schuman first alleged in a blog post published in 2017 that Carter had forced himself on her in a in a bathroom in Santa Monica amid the filming of a 2004 film. She claimed that Carter forced oral sex on her and ultimately climbed on top of her and raped her.
"I told him that I was a virgin and I didn't want to have sex," she said. "I told him that I was saving myself for my future husband. I said it over and over again. He whispered in my ear as to entice me, 'I could be your husband.'"
Carter later denied the story and told TMZ he was "shocked and saddened by Ms. Schuman’s accusations."
"Melissa never expressed to me while we were together or at any time since that anything we did was not consensual...This is the first that I am hearing about these accusations, nearly two decades later. It is contrary to my nature and everything I hold dear to intentionally cause someone discomfort or harm," he said.