Rape, burglary charges against Cape man dropped

Twenty-four hours after Jon M. Thrower was arrested and charged with rape and burglary for an alleged attack on a 24-year-old woman, Cape Girardeau authorities released him from jail and dismissed all charges against him.

The alleged victim was lying when she accused Thrower, according to Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

When police interviewed Thrower, he refused to make any statements regarding the accusations.

At the request of assistant prosecutor Angel Woodruff, a Cape Girardeau detective requested a second interview, and Thrower agreed, giving a detailed statement.

He had been invited to the woman's house that evening, and she had engaged in consensual sexual activity with him, he told police.

When police questioned the woman again, she admitted to making up the burglary and rape allegations, police said.

"In a sexual assault case, the credibility of the victim is always tremendously important," said Swingle.

Prosecutors no longer believe any crime occurred, he said.