Man accused of rape at Keith Urban concert

An 18-year-old man was accused of raping a teen during a Keith Urban concert in Massachusetts on July 26.

During Urban’s show at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, 18-year-old Sean Murphy allegedly assaulted the 17-year-old victim on a lawn in the crowd, surrounded by other concertgoers. Many worried fans reportedly took photos and videotaped the incident, which they later showed to police.

The alleged assault ended after a female concertgoer shoved Murphy off the victim. Murphy fled, only to be arrested a short time later, police say. Murphy pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges and was released on bond of $10,000.

In a statement to CNN, Murphy’s lawyer said, “Put simply, this was a consensual act, not a sexual assault. There are no allegations of force or violence against him. This was a private act that regrettably occurred in a public place. Mr. Murphy deeply regrets this incident and I am sure the young woman does as well. The young woman was neither intoxicated nor overcome by drugs at the time. Mr. Murphy has no criminal history whatsoever.”

The show was also marred by many incidents of overdrinking. More than 20 fans were taken to hospitals from the show on fears of alcohol poisoning. An estimated 46 fans had to be treated for alcohol-related illnesses, according to local paper The Sun Chronicle, alongside more 50 arrests.

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