Read: Letter of apology from Marcus Owens and family

Marcus Owens — the University of Iowa freshman who earlier this month sparked widespread outrage and a campus policy review with his report of being assaulted during a racially-fueled attack — will not be charged for making up the story.

He could however, face a false-report charge, according to Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness. But filing charges would have kept the community from learning the truth until much later, Lyness said. And Iowa City police and prosecutors believe the community was the victim in this case.

'We felt also that getting an apology from Marcus and his family — so that people are clear on what happened and what did not happen — was really more important,' Lyness said.

Related: No charges against University of Iowa student Marcus Owens for fabricating hate crime.

Marcus Owens and his family issued the public apology after an Iowa City police investigation showed him to be involved in three fights during the hours the assault was alleged to have occurred.

'Upon learning more details of the case, and while racial slurs served to fuel the violence, Marcus now knows that his account of events was inconsistent with police findings,' a statement from Owens and his family reads, 'in part due to alcohol being involved, his embarrassment at his behavior, as well as injuries he sustained.'

Read the full letter below:

'To Marcus Owens's friends, the Iowa City Community, the University of Iowa, and the Iowa City Police Department:

Marcus Owens and the entire Owens family would like to issue their deepest apologies to Marcus's friends, the Iowa City community, the University of Iowa, and the Iowa City Police Department for the misunderstandings and anxiety stemming from Marcus's involvement in a violent incident in downtown Iowa City on May 1. Upon learning more details of the case, and while racial slurs served to fuel the violence, Marcus now knows that his account of events was inconsistent with police findings, in part due to alcohol being involved, his embarrassment at his behavior, as well as the injuries he sustained. In light of this, it was concluded that this incident was not a hate crime as originally believed, but rather a case of excessive underage drinking and extremely poor judgment on the part of many people, Marcus included. Again, we would like to apologize and thank the University (especially President Bruce Harreld and his staff) and the Iowa City Police Department for their attention, sensitivity, diligence in investigating this matter, and in thoroughly addressing our many concerns. Just as we have learned many life-changing lessons, we hope too that the community will continue to examine the many issues raised by this unfortunate incident.

— Marcus Owens and The Owens Family'