You are in: Entertainment

Chuck E. Cheese found innocent in rape trial SAN JOSE-After almost five years, the case that shook not only the world of children's entertainment, but America as a whole, has come to an end. Charles Entertainment "Chuck E." Cheese is a free mouse. He was acquitted Thursday of rape charges made against him by his former business partner Dolli Dimples. Cheese and his associates cried cheers of joy as the court clerk read out the "not guilty" verdict. Reportedly, he faced the jury and mouthed "thank you" as the verdict was read. Dolli Dimples, surrounded by her family, wept a few feet away. The verdict puts an end to a five-year long trial, beginning in 1997, encompassing 160 witnesses, 90,000 pages of evidence, 8 security tapes, and 4 audio recordings. The trial began when Cheese's former business parter, Dolli Dimples, who worked with Cheese during the opening years of the children's pizza restaurant chain Chuck E. Cheese-then known as Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre-came forward with allegations of a non-consensual relationship between her and Cheese during the late years of the 1970's to 1983, which culminated in Cheese intoxicating and raping her. Cheese fired her from the company soon after. At first, Cheese denied the allegations, stating that no such relationship ever existed between him and Dimples. His reluctance to enter police custody led to the highly publicised hot air balloon chase between himself and the San Jose Police Department, which ended when heavy winds sent Cheese's balloon crashing into the side of a mountain. The only confirmed injury from the chase was from Cheese himself, who suffered a sprained ankle. The aerial police chase was broadcast live, reaching 55 million viewers. The case shook the world of children's entertainment. Chuck E. Cheese's foot traffic plummeted as many parents became hesitant to take their children to an establishment. Discussion was held amongst Chuck E. Cheese's higher-ups over whether they should return to using ShowBiz Pizza branding. Cheese faced more public scrutiny after threatening Dimples' life while he was intoxicated in 1999, and again in 2001. Cheese also threatened to bomb multiple Domino's and PizzaHut establishments, took out full-page ads attacking Dimples, and burned a plush toy of Dimples on live television. The case stalled for five years, with multiple witness testimonies, tapes, recordings, and other pieces of evidence being presented to the jury. Initially, the overwhelming evidence against Cheese led many to believe that he would be found guilty, but in a shocking turn of events, the jury acquitted Cheese of all charges. "I'm so glad this is all over. I just want to get back to doing what I love, entertaining children." Cheese said in a statement to the press. Dimples refused to respond to reporters' questions.