The train passengers who witnessed the rape of a woman in Philadelphia last week are unlikely to face criminal charges, according to a local prosecutor.
Surveillance cameras recorded passengers who did nothing when they saw the rape on the train, the transport company says.
Previously, the police said that the passengers who recorded the incident could be brought before the court.
The man was arrested and charged with rape.
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According to the allegations, the rape happened last Wednesday on a Southeastern Pennsylvania Railroad train (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority - septa).
The company states that "there were passengers on the train who saw a terrible crime that could have been prevented if one of the passengers had reacted and called [the emergency number] 911".
An employee of the company called the police, and police officers found the victim and detained the perpetrator.
A 35-year-old man, Fishton Ngoj, was arrested and accused of rape and several other crimes.
The victim was taken to the hospital and is cooperating with the police.
At a press conference Monday, police said none of the witnesses called 911, and they watched as the woman was first abused and then raped, which lasted more than 40 minutes.
It is not clear how many passengers were on the train when the incident occurred.
Investigators are trying to determine if any of the passengers recorded what happened.
"We know people were turning their phones in the direction of the woman who was attacked," Police Chief Thomas J. Nestel said Monday.
"We want everyone to be angry and upset, and to show determination to contribute to the security of the entire system," Nestel added.
New York Times quoted Timothy Bernhardt, an officer of the police station in Gornje Darbi, who says that witnesses who did not help the victim could be prosecuted if they filmed the incident.
The final decision on possible charges will be made by the Delaware District Attorney after the investigation is complete, he added.
However, Bernhard did not specify what the charges would be, but said that it would be "very difficult to charge those who saw the attack but did not report it."
In response to questions from the BBC, a spokesperson for the Delaware District Attorney's Office said the investigation was ongoing and that "at this time there is no prospect of any charges against the passengers."
Former federal prosecutor and law professor at Case Western Reserve University (Case Western Reserve University) Kevin McManigal tells the BBC that in most US states, witnesses have no legal obligation to take action unless they have a "special duty" as parents, teachers, guardians or police officers.
He adds that cases like the one that happened in Philadelphia are rare.
"In most cases, witnesses take action, at least call 911," he points out.
University of Miami law professor Tamara Rice says it's possible, but unlikely, that prosecutors would bring charges against the passengers who filmed the incident if it turns out the footage had an effect on the crime or encouraged the perpetrator.
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