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Multiple women accused Stephen Matthews of drugging and sexually assaulting them.
DENVER — A former Denver cardiologist accused of drugging and sexually assaulting multiple women after meeting them on dating apps like Hinge and Tinder was found guilty on 35 of 38 counts by a jury Tuesday morning in Denver District Court.
Stephen Matthews, 36, was arrested in March of last year after a woman reported he assaulted her after they went to brunch. After her story was made public, nine additional women came forward to report they were victimized by Matthews.
Matthews’ trial began on July 15. In their closing arguments Thursday morning, prosecutors painted Matthews as someone who was calculated and carefully targeted his victims. His defense team said prosecutors relied on “stories” about “voluntary drinking on first dates” and not actual evidence.
Several victims testified that they suffered memory loss after their encounters with Matthews. Family members and friends of some of the victims testified that the victims appeared abnormally drunk or disheveled after meeting Matthews.
Many of the victims believed they were drugged, but Matthews’ defense team noted that investigators found no physical evidence of drugging and said no drugs were found in his home when it was searched. They also said many of the victims never got a sexual assault exam, known as SANE.
Prosecutors admitted no drugs were found in the home, but said investigators did find hidden packages of Plan B and contraceptives.
Matthews will be sentenced on Oct. 25.
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