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Nate Parker Releases Statement on Rape Accuser's Suicide

Nate Parker has written a lengthy statement to express his “profound sorrow” over the news that the woman who accused him of rape committed suicide four years ago.

The 36-year-old The Birth of a Nation actor-writer-director was accused of raping a woman while in college at Penn State, but he was acquitted of the charges and he maintains his innocence today.

“These are my words. Written from my heart and not filtered through a third party gaze. Please read these separate from any platform I may have, but from me as a fellow human being,” Nate started his statement on his Facebook page. “I write to you all devastated…”

“Over the last several days, a part of my past – my arrest, trial and acquittal on charges of sexual assault – has become a focal point for media coverage, social media speculation and industry conversation. I understand why so many are concerned and rightfully have questions. These issues of a women’s right to be safe and of men and women engaging in healthy relationships are extremely important to talk about, however difficult. And more personally, as a father, a husband, a brother and man of deep faith, I understand how much confusion and pain this incident has had on so many, most importantly the young woman who was involved,” Nate continued. “I myself just learned that the young woman ended her own life several years ago and I am filled with profound sorrow…I can’t tell you how hard it is to hear this news. I can’t help but think of all the implications this has for her family.”

Click inside to read the rest of Nate Parker’s statement… More Here! »

Nate Parker's Rape Accuser Died in 2012, Committed Suicide

The woman who accused Nate Parker of rape over fifteen years ago died back in 2012 after she committed suicide, her brother confirmed to Variety.

Family members of the woman confirmed that she overdosed on sleeping pills.

“She became detached from reality,” the brother said. “The progression was very quick and she took her life… He may have litigated out of any kind of situation. My position is he got off on a technicality.”

While there is no evidence that the woman, whose wishes to remain anonymous have been granted by the media, committed suicide over the 2001 trial, her brother says she suffered from depression following the reported rape.

“If I were to look back at her very short life and point to one moment where I think she changed as a person, it was obviously that point,” he said. “The trial was pretty tough for her.”

Nate, the writer/director/star of the upcoming movie The Birth of a Nation, was acquitted of any charges associated with the trial and he spoke out about it for the first time just days ago.

For more from the interview, visit Variety.com.

Birth of a Nation's Nate Parker Discusses College Rape Trial

Nate Parker – the star, director, writer, and producer of the highly anticipated movie The Birth of a Nation – is opening up about being put on trial for rape while he was in college.

The 36-year-old actor and his Penn State University roommate Jean Celestin, who co-wrote the story for the upcoming movie, were charged with raping a female student in their apartment.

“Seventeen years ago, I experienced a very painful moment in my life,” Nate told Variety. “It resulted in it being litigated. I was cleared of it. That’s that. Seventeen years later, I’m a filmmaker. I have a family. I have five beautiful daughters. I have a lovely wife. I get it. The reality is… I can’t relive 17 years ago. All I can do is be the best man I can be now.”

Nate said that he had consensual sex with the accuser, but she says she was unconscious and did not consent to sex with either man. He was eventually acquitted, but Jean was sentenced to six months in prison. When he appealed the sentence, the accuser did not want to testify again, so the case was thrown out.

“My life will be examined and put under the microscope in ways that it never has,” Nate said about being put in the spotlight. “There are numerous things that are surfacing. But I’ve always been an open book. I’m an advocate of justice. I’m an older man. I’ve matured a lot. I’ve had many obstacles in my life. I grew up very poor. My father passed away. There are so many things that happened. At the same time, I am the man that I am. I am open to the scrutiny. I will never hide anything from my past.”

Nate Parker Announces the Birth of His Fourth Child!

Nate Parker is all smiles on the red carpet at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s Grants Banquet on Thursday (August 4) at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The 36-year-old The Birth of a Nation star presented during the event with pregnant actress Jurnee Smollett-Bell.

Nate revealed to E! News at the event that he and his wife Sarah DiSanto have welcomed their fourth child into the world. The baby girl is named Justice.

Congratulations to the happy family on the new addition!

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'Birth of a Nation' Poster Features Nate Parker Hung By a Flag

The new poster for the upcoming movie The Birth of a Nation has been released and it features the film’s star Nate Parker with an American flag around his neck like a noose.

The 36-year-old actor not only stars in the critically acclaimed film – he also directed it, wrote it, and produced it. The movie is definitely going to be a big Oscars contender and Nate will be eligible for four awards!

Set against the antebellum South, The Birth of a Nation follows Nat Turner (Parker), a literate slave and preacher, whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner (Armie Hammer), accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. As he witnesses countless atrocities – against himself and his fellow slaves – Nat orchestrates an uprising in the hopes of leading his people to freedom.

Also starring in the movie are Gabrielle Union, Penelope Ann Miller, Jackie Earle Haley, Aja Naomi King, Colman Domingo, and more. The film is set to hit theaters on October 7.

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Aja Naomi King, Nate Parker, & Gabrielle Union Present at BET Awards 2016

Aja Naomi King and her The Birth of a Nation co-stars Nate Parker and Gabrielle Union present on stage at the 2016 BET Awards held at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday (June 26) in Los Angeles.

Also seen on stage later that evening during the show was Empire star Jussie Smollett.

If you missed it, be sure to check out the complete list of winners from the 2016 BET Awards.

The Birth of a Nation, which will hit theaters in October, is about Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher in the antebellum South, who orchestrates an uprising.

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Aja Naomi King Joins Nate Parker for Met Gala 2016

Aja Naomi King glows in a warm yellow gown as she arrives on the red carpet at the 2016 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday (May 2) in New York City.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Aja Naomi King

The 31-year-old actress was joined by her Birth of a Nation co-star Nate Parker at the fashion event.

FYI: Aja is wearing a Prabal Gurung gown, a Rauwolf clutch, Le Vian diamond earrings and dark gold specchio sultry Stuart Weitzman sandals. Nate is wearing a Calvin Klein Collection charcoal notch lapel wool silk tuxedo, white dress shirt and black satin tie.

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