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Prosecutors won't charge Tyson in connection with rape allegations

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) -- The Clark County district attorney Thursday informed police his office would not bring sexual assault charges against former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson in connection with two rape allegations against him.

In a letter to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, District Attorney Stewart Bell explained that his office decided there was "no possibility whatsoever to successfully prosecute Mr. Tyson in regard to either or both of these events, given the burden of proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."

"In each instance, there was no question that sexual relations occurred between the alleged victim and Mr. Tyson," the district attorney said. "The issue was whether or not such relations were consensual, and hence not criminal, or forced upon either or both alleged victims."

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The allegations deal with two separate incidents. One woman filed a complaint in September alleging she was sexually assaulted by Tyson in his Las Vegas home that month; a second woman alleges Tyson sexually assaulted her in the home in November 2000.

Bell praised the investigative work of the police department, and said there was nothing further the department could have done to help the district attorney's office successfully pursue the allegations.

The investigations were the latest twist in the career of Tyson, 35, who has made more than $200 million in the ring but whose personal behavior, including a 1992 rape conviction, has colored his career.