A New York State Supreme Court judge ordered the dismissal of all criminal charges against Dominique Strauss-Kahn on Tuesday. Justice Michael J. Obus of the State Supreme Court in Manhattan said his order would be stayed until an appellate court decides whether a special prosecutor should be appointed, according to the New York Times.

Prosecutors in the Manhattan district attorney’s office told the court that they could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt because of "serious credibility issues" with Nafissatou Diallo, the hotel housekeeper who accused Strauss-Kahn of sexually assaulting her as she entered his suite to clean it.

In a press conference outside the court after the decision Diallo stood silently next to her lawyer who delivered a strong message to District Attorney Vance for dropping the charges.

"Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance has denied the right of a woman to get justice in a rape case. He has not only turned his back on this innocent victim but he has also turned his back on the forensic, medical and other physical evidence in this case. Gentleman, if the Manhattan District Attorney, who is elected to protect our mothers, our daughters, our sisters, our wives and our loves ones is not going to stand up for them, who will?"

Strauss-Kahn has issued a statement after the judges decision. "We appreciate his professionalism and that of the people who were involved in that decision," he said before going on to thank the judge, his wife and family and other supporters.

Diallo still has a civil lawsuit pending against Strauss-Kahn for unspecified monetary damages.

Stay tuned to Colorlines.com for more analysis coming soon from Gender Matters blogger Akiba Solomon.

For past coverage of the Strauss-Kahn case visit Colorlines.com/dsk-rape-case.