((HT: WCTV-TV/TMZ))
While the attorney for FSU QB Jameis Winston, David Cornwell, admits that his client is cooperating with the Title IX investigation on campus, he also says that the accuser in the previous rape case tried to extort money from his client.
$7-million worth of being left alone...
TMZ has a copy of the letter and it claims that the accuser's attorney, Patricia Carroll, was ready to deal:
According to the letter -- obtained by TMZ Sports -- the alleged victim's lawyer, Patricia Carroll, demanded $7 MIL to settle her client's claims against FSU and Winston, telling Cornwell, "If we settle, you will never hear from my client or me again -- in the press or anywhere."
Cornwell says he rejected her offer and 4 days later she went to the media.
Fisher is now ready to move on and make sure that his quarterback is going to not get into any more trouble.
Here's the Jimbo Fisher press conference from this week where he addresses the "miscommunication" between staff and coaches involving the wearing of the uniform for the Clemson game.
The HQ still has tremendous issues with Winston even being on the field Saturday. We always thought "suspended" meant something the equivalent of staying at home, not being in attendance, and learning some kind if lesson in all of this.
The HQ doesn't buy the whole "miscommunication" gambit and the idea that the network broadcasting the game actually had 48 cut-aways (as counted by Deadspin) of him watching his team on the sidelines is appalling.
The glorification of a suspended athlete has nothing to do with subplot and it wouldn't have if he was off the field- where he belonged- in the first place.
The HQ is also not fond of Winston jumping into the middle of Sean McGuire's moment after the win and we're fairly sure there's a huge disconnect in Winston's brain when it comes to "getting it."
Which he, surely and consistenty, has not and will not. Entitlement and coddling are two words that seem to be fairly consistent in the administration of Winston's life path and we're pretty tired of it.
There's nothing wrong with being a "heel." Each sporting element has them and needs them for the sake of daily argument. But Winston, through all of his instances, has gone past that role into one of an individual who we're all waiting to fall and won't have any sympsthy when he does.
Showing posts with label rape. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rape. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Thursday, September 4, 2014
FSU Reopening Winston Title IX Investigation
((HT: ProFootballTalk))
Not surprising to the HQ at all, but this was the initial report OSG Sports gave on the Title IX investigation in and around the Florida State QB in the off-season.
It appears the university is now reopening the Title IX investigation that the alleged Winston rape victim requested at the time. Jameis Winston did not answer any questions in the initial investigation, so it was tabled.
The investigation was widely panned and the New York Times constructed all of the errors in one place.
The University responded to the New Yor Times piece and panned it in return...
((HT: CBSMiami))
Tha attorney for the accuser, John Clune, says that his client feels that the process is "moving forward" after his client was interviewed last month for an incident that happened in 2012:
"We expect that there will be code of conduct charges that will be brought," he told Rachel Axon of USA Today. "There's no basis not to bring those charges now."
During the criminal investigation, Winston (through his lawyers) maintained that the sexual contact was consensual.
But an on-campus Title IX investigation gets around the criminal complaint:
Decisions are made on a "preponderance of the evidence" and should, as a rule, take no longer than two months to complete. That would, then, make the decision public in the neighborhood of Week 10 of the college football season.
And could send the FSU football season into a tizzy for the next 8 weeks or so...
Got all that...???
Not surprising to the HQ at all, but this was the initial report OSG Sports gave on the Title IX investigation in and around the Florida State QB in the off-season.
It appears the university is now reopening the Title IX investigation that the alleged Winston rape victim requested at the time. Jameis Winston did not answer any questions in the initial investigation, so it was tabled.
The investigation was widely panned and the New York Times constructed all of the errors in one place.
The University responded to the New Yor Times piece and panned it in return...
((HT: CBSMiami))
Tha attorney for the accuser, John Clune, says that his client feels that the process is "moving forward" after his client was interviewed last month for an incident that happened in 2012:
"We expect that there will be code of conduct charges that will be brought," he told Rachel Axon of USA Today. "There's no basis not to bring those charges now."
During the criminal investigation, Winston (through his lawyers) maintained that the sexual contact was consensual.
But an on-campus Title IX investigation gets around the criminal complaint:
Decisions are made on a "preponderance of the evidence" and should, as a rule, take no longer than two months to complete. That would, then, make the decision public in the neighborhood of Week 10 of the college football season.
And could send the FSU football season into a tizzy for the next 8 weeks or so...
Got all that...???
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Falcons Looking Past Shembo's Past For Draft...? (UPDATED: Dimitroff Comfortable With It)
For the 139th overall pick in the 2014 draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected Prince Shembo from Notre Dame...
If the name strikes a chord, it comes from here...
Shembo acknowledged for the first time, back at the Scouting Combine in February, that he was at the heart of allegations made Lizzy Seeberg- a Saint Mary’s College student who committed suicide back in 2010 (pictured right, thanks WLS-TV).
Shembo also said at the combine that the university did not want him to speak on the issue. Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, of course, denied this to the Chicago Tribune before spring practice started:
“We made a decision based upon the information we had. We felt it was in Prince’s best interest that this was not a matter that needed to be discuss. But that was certainly something he could have decided to discuss.
“We didn’t threaten him with he couldn’t play or we were going to put him on the bench or we were going to throw him out of school. It was still his decision.”
Sure, okay...
Shannon Ryan and Chris Hine's piece from practice says that Shembo maintained his innocence.
The Tribune reported in December 2010 (Stacy St. Clair and Todd Lighty's piece is here) that the family felt "betrayed" by the university lack of action over their daughter's complaint of a sexual attack.
On August 31, 2010, Seeberg was in Shembo's room alone and started to feel uncomfortable after friends of both Seeberg and Shembo left the room.
From St. Clair and Lighty:
Seeberg then described how she cried and her body froze as the alleged attack ensued. Her allegations did not describe penetration; the campus police log listed the complaint as an alleged sexual battery. Under Indiana law, a sexual battery is the unwanted touching of another person to satisfy one's own sexual desires.
The incident ended when the player's cell phone distracted him, Seeberg wrote.
Shortly afterward, the other couple returned.
Upon returning to her campus, Seeberg wrote a hand-written statement, documents show. She sought assistance the next morning from Belles Against Violence, a St. Mary's program that helps victims of sex crimes and whose name pays tribute to the nickname for the all-female student population. She also went to a hospital, where she reported the alleged attack to authorities and consented to a DNA evidence kit.
Through texting, Shembo's friend asked about the night before and the exchange included:
"Don't do anything you would regret," the text said. "Messing with notre dame football is a bad idea."
Seeberg forwarded the message to a campus detective within ten minutes. That same night, she sent a link of Shembo's player bio to university police with the header- "assault suspect"
Seeberg started suffering panic attacks and died September 10, 2010 from an overdose of prescription medication.
The question was even addressed by Chris Matthews
((HT: MSNBC))
The university seemed not to move swiftly in their investigation of the assault. And all the Seebergs were looking for were answers in a timely fashion- they still aren't seeming to get them even to this day...
Tom Seeberg, Lizzy's father, was interviewed Combine Week by The Game Radio in Chicago after Shembo's comments were made public. He said in part:
"I think the context of revealing his name maybe adds to maybe why we certainly accused Notre Dame of conducting a superficial investigation," Seeberg said. "But maybe it adds context to why they might conduct a superficial investigation. In a he-said-she-said matter, you can quickly gather forensic evidence to try to determine what happened there, or you can let it linger like they did. Let evidence spoil."
Todd Lighty and Rich Campbell's piece from the Tribune during Combine Week is here
Seeberg has maintained that the university pursued the Manti Te'o situation with more zeal and purpose than their daughter's case.
Which brings us back to the Atlanta Falcons...
All the front office really needs to say is that since Shembo was never charged- that's good enough for them...
But, what will their answer be...? Something more in-depth...?
The HQ doubts it... and for a franchise that prides itself in being a community-driven and respectful outfit, it's an odd selection- not because of need, but because of character...
SUNDAY UPDATE: Props to Vaughn McClure over at the four-letter for catching up with Thomas Dimitroff and asking:
The response still doesn't wash with the HQ...
"We're very, very aware of the seriousness of the incident," Dimitroff said. "Obviously, it's a sad situation for the young lady involved. We've done a lot of research at many levels from our security standpoint, from all the research that we did at Notre Dame. And he was never charged, never suspended from the team or the school.
"We've done our due diligence as far as making sure that we felt very comfortable with making that decision. Only glowing endorsements from the university. And again, pleased to have him a part of this organization going forward."
Of course, Shembo is getting glowing endorsements from the university that did virtually nothing to investigate...
Of course he is...
If the name strikes a chord, it comes from here...
Shembo acknowledged for the first time, back at the Scouting Combine in February, that he was at the heart of allegations made Lizzy Seeberg- a Saint Mary’s College student who committed suicide back in 2010 (pictured right, thanks WLS-TV).
Shembo also said at the combine that the university did not want him to speak on the issue. Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, of course, denied this to the Chicago Tribune before spring practice started:
“We made a decision based upon the information we had. We felt it was in Prince’s best interest that this was not a matter that needed to be discuss. But that was certainly something he could have decided to discuss.
“We didn’t threaten him with he couldn’t play or we were going to put him on the bench or we were going to throw him out of school. It was still his decision.”
Sure, okay...
Shannon Ryan and Chris Hine's piece from practice says that Shembo maintained his innocence.
The Tribune reported in December 2010 (Stacy St. Clair and Todd Lighty's piece is here) that the family felt "betrayed" by the university lack of action over their daughter's complaint of a sexual attack.
On August 31, 2010, Seeberg was in Shembo's room alone and started to feel uncomfortable after friends of both Seeberg and Shembo left the room.
From St. Clair and Lighty:
Seeberg then described how she cried and her body froze as the alleged attack ensued. Her allegations did not describe penetration; the campus police log listed the complaint as an alleged sexual battery. Under Indiana law, a sexual battery is the unwanted touching of another person to satisfy one's own sexual desires.
The incident ended when the player's cell phone distracted him, Seeberg wrote.
Shortly afterward, the other couple returned.
Upon returning to her campus, Seeberg wrote a hand-written statement, documents show. She sought assistance the next morning from Belles Against Violence, a St. Mary's program that helps victims of sex crimes and whose name pays tribute to the nickname for the all-female student population. She also went to a hospital, where she reported the alleged attack to authorities and consented to a DNA evidence kit.
Through texting, Shembo's friend asked about the night before and the exchange included:
"Don't do anything you would regret," the text said. "Messing with notre dame football is a bad idea."
Seeberg forwarded the message to a campus detective within ten minutes. That same night, she sent a link of Shembo's player bio to university police with the header- "assault suspect"
Seeberg started suffering panic attacks and died September 10, 2010 from an overdose of prescription medication.
The question was even addressed by Chris Matthews
((HT: MSNBC))
The university seemed not to move swiftly in their investigation of the assault. And all the Seebergs were looking for were answers in a timely fashion- they still aren't seeming to get them even to this day...
Tom Seeberg, Lizzy's father, was interviewed Combine Week by The Game Radio in Chicago after Shembo's comments were made public. He said in part:
"I think the context of revealing his name maybe adds to maybe why we certainly accused Notre Dame of conducting a superficial investigation," Seeberg said. "But maybe it adds context to why they might conduct a superficial investigation. In a he-said-she-said matter, you can quickly gather forensic evidence to try to determine what happened there, or you can let it linger like they did. Let evidence spoil."
Todd Lighty and Rich Campbell's piece from the Tribune during Combine Week is here
Seeberg has maintained that the university pursued the Manti Te'o situation with more zeal and purpose than their daughter's case.
Which brings us back to the Atlanta Falcons...
All the front office really needs to say is that since Shembo was never charged- that's good enough for them...
But, what will their answer be...? Something more in-depth...?
The HQ doubts it... and for a franchise that prides itself in being a community-driven and respectful outfit, it's an odd selection- not because of need, but because of character...
SUNDAY UPDATE: Props to Vaughn McClure over at the four-letter for catching up with Thomas Dimitroff and asking:
The response still doesn't wash with the HQ...
"We're very, very aware of the seriousness of the incident," Dimitroff said. "Obviously, it's a sad situation for the young lady involved. We've done a lot of research at many levels from our security standpoint, from all the research that we did at Notre Dame. And he was never charged, never suspended from the team or the school.
"We've done our due diligence as far as making sure that we felt very comfortable with making that decision. Only glowing endorsements from the university. And again, pleased to have him a part of this organization going forward."
Of course, Shembo is getting glowing endorsements from the university that did virtually nothing to investigate...
Of course he is...
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Filing: Former Vandy Coach Franklin Talked To Alleged Campus Rape Victim
((HT: WSMV-TV/ESPN-Bennett))
Brian Bennett has news that a new defense filing in the on-campus assault case involving four former Vanderbilt football players from last June details contact between then-head football coach James Franklin and the defendant in the case.
The attorney for Brandon Vandenburg, one of the four former Vanderbilt football players up on rape charges, requested the charge against his client be dismissed because the state failed to preserve evidence.
Tony Gonzalez's article in the Tennessean details it, including:
• the majority of more than 27,000 messages and 220 calls on the alleged victim's phone, of which just 47 calls or texts were provided to the defense;
• text messages between Vandenburg and the alleged victim, as well as between him and former wide receiver Chris Boyd and co-defendant Cory Batey;
• text messages and phone records from three team staff members — former head coach James Franklin, former director of performance enhancement Dwight Galt, and associate director of athletics Kevin Colon;
• texts and social media posts from players and the victim's friends;
• police interview records with a close acquaintance of the alleged victim;
• DNA test results from another man;
• an interview with the girlfriend of former starting quarterback Austyn Carta Samuels; and
• other police notes and medical records.
The new filing says that Franklin and strength coach Dwight Galt also talked to the female four days after the rape.
Bennett's key paragraph (from Gonzalez's article):
Franklin and Galt told the victim "that they cared about her because she assisted them with recruiting," according to the filing. Later, the defense said, "Coach Franklin called her in for a private meeting and told her he wanted her to get 15 pretty girls together and form a team to assist with the recruiting even though he knew it was against the rules. He added that all the other colleges did it."
Franklin and Galt are now both at Penn State and the Nittany Lions head coach didn't want to talk to anyone about the filing.
Here's some background from February where it was thought that Vandenburg was even going as far as saying things against Batey. Batey's attorney claimed the act was to keep Batey from getting a fair trial...
WSMV Channel 4
The case is set to go to trial in August.
Brian Bennett has news that a new defense filing in the on-campus assault case involving four former Vanderbilt football players from last June details contact between then-head football coach James Franklin and the defendant in the case.
The attorney for Brandon Vandenburg, one of the four former Vanderbilt football players up on rape charges, requested the charge against his client be dismissed because the state failed to preserve evidence.
Tony Gonzalez's article in the Tennessean details it, including:
• the majority of more than 27,000 messages and 220 calls on the alleged victim's phone, of which just 47 calls or texts were provided to the defense;
• text messages between Vandenburg and the alleged victim, as well as between him and former wide receiver Chris Boyd and co-defendant Cory Batey;
• text messages and phone records from three team staff members — former head coach James Franklin, former director of performance enhancement Dwight Galt, and associate director of athletics Kevin Colon;
• texts and social media posts from players and the victim's friends;
• police interview records with a close acquaintance of the alleged victim;
• DNA test results from another man;
• an interview with the girlfriend of former starting quarterback Austyn Carta Samuels; and
• other police notes and medical records.
The new filing says that Franklin and strength coach Dwight Galt also talked to the female four days after the rape.
Bennett's key paragraph (from Gonzalez's article):
Franklin and Galt told the victim "that they cared about her because she assisted them with recruiting," according to the filing. Later, the defense said, "Coach Franklin called her in for a private meeting and told her he wanted her to get 15 pretty girls together and form a team to assist with the recruiting even though he knew it was against the rules. He added that all the other colleges did it."
Franklin and Galt are now both at Penn State and the Nittany Lions head coach didn't want to talk to anyone about the filing.
Here's some background from February where it was thought that Vandenburg was even going as far as saying things against Batey. Batey's attorney claimed the act was to keep Batey from getting a fair trial...
WSMV Channel 4
The case is set to go to trial in August.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Darren Sharper Denied Bail Again
((HT: KABC-TV))
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Renee Korn rejected the defense idea that former NFL'er Darren Sharper should be granted bail and be held under house arrest until trial as he appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom Monday. Judge Korn is waiting to see if the state of Arizona will pursue extradition proceedings...
Prosecutors say the Arizona governor's office is preparing to extradite Sharper even as Sharper's defense team is saying the opposite is true.
Basically, Sharper is still in trouble in more than one state and it will all start in Los Angeles at some point...
Jovana Lara is outside the courtroom
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Renee Korn rejected the defense idea that former NFL'er Darren Sharper should be granted bail and be held under house arrest until trial as he appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom Monday. Judge Korn is waiting to see if the state of Arizona will pursue extradition proceedings...
Prosecutors say the Arizona governor's office is preparing to extradite Sharper even as Sharper's defense team is saying the opposite is true.
Basically, Sharper is still in trouble in more than one state and it will all start in Los Angeles at some point...
Jovana Lara is outside the courtroom
Friday, March 7, 2014
Darren Sharper In Deep Doo-Doo in New Orleans (and Other Places)
((HT: WWL-TV))
This is not good at all...
Former NFL'er and NFL Network analyst Darren Sharper is currently in jail in Los Angeles after surrendering last week to police after a warrant was issued in connection with the alleged rapes in New Orleans.
Sharper and an acquaintance-slash-friend, Eric Nunez, are each facing two charges of aggravated rape in the incident that dates back to September.
Sharper also has been charged with seven felonies in Los Angeles related to cases in which he's accused of drugging and raping two women he met at nightclubs. He pleaded not guilty to those charges. The release of the indictment in New Orleans also lends itself to concurrent information and an apparent pattern for all of the incidents he is under investigation for in California, Louisiana, Florida, Nevada, and Arizona.
The interesting part of all this should be the legal wrangling that goes on from this moment forward because the severity of possible jail terms differs from state to state...
Katie Moore goes over the filing with Chick Foret...
This is not good at all...
Former NFL'er and NFL Network analyst Darren Sharper is currently in jail in Los Angeles after surrendering last week to police after a warrant was issued in connection with the alleged rapes in New Orleans.
Sharper and an acquaintance-slash-friend, Eric Nunez, are each facing two charges of aggravated rape in the incident that dates back to September.
Sharper also has been charged with seven felonies in Los Angeles related to cases in which he's accused of drugging and raping two women he met at nightclubs. He pleaded not guilty to those charges. The release of the indictment in New Orleans also lends itself to concurrent information and an apparent pattern for all of the incidents he is under investigation for in California, Louisiana, Florida, Nevada, and Arizona.
The interesting part of all this should be the legal wrangling that goes on from this moment forward because the severity of possible jail terms differs from state to state...
Katie Moore goes over the filing with Chick Foret...
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Seeberg Family Goes Public After Shembo Comments
((HT: Chicago Tribune/Lighty and Campbell))
Prince Shembo came forward at the NFL Combine saying he was the unnamed Notre Dame player accused of attacking Lizzy Seeberg in 2010 before she eventually committed suicide. Lizzy's parents knew it was Shembo, but since he was never charged the name never was released as part of the process.
Lizzy Seeberg typed a statement to police after their meeting August 31, 2010 in Shembo's room- a place where she didn't feel safe.
From the Tribune:
Seeberg then described how she cried and her body froze as the alleged attack ensued. Her allegations did not describe penetration; the campus police log listed the complaint as an alleged sexual battery. She said Shembo licked her breast. The incident ended when the player's cellphone distracted him, Seeberg said.
On Sept. 2 she received a text message from one of Shembo's friends, telling her, "Don't do anything you would regret. Messing with notre dame football is a bad idea."
She killed herself Sept. 10, overdosing on prescription medication.
Notre Dame conducted an investigation- not interviewing Shembo until five days after Seeberg's suicide. Shembo's attorney maintains the incident was consensual.
Chicago Tribune Deputy Metro editor Mark Jacob talks with Lighty about Shembo coming forward, having Lizzy Seeberg's father talk about the case (or the lack of one going forward) and any possible repercussions...
The biggest stink the HQ sees in this- among many of them- is that no one from the university has even addressed any remorse over the Seeberg suicide and the family's feelings in the matter...
Pair this with the death of the GA in high winds and there's too much to say about how a big business in a small town rules the town... and that will never change...
Prince Shembo came forward at the NFL Combine saying he was the unnamed Notre Dame player accused of attacking Lizzy Seeberg in 2010 before she eventually committed suicide. Lizzy's parents knew it was Shembo, but since he was never charged the name never was released as part of the process.
Lizzy Seeberg typed a statement to police after their meeting August 31, 2010 in Shembo's room- a place where she didn't feel safe.
From the Tribune:
Seeberg then described how she cried and her body froze as the alleged attack ensued. Her allegations did not describe penetration; the campus police log listed the complaint as an alleged sexual battery. She said Shembo licked her breast. The incident ended when the player's cellphone distracted him, Seeberg said.
On Sept. 2 she received a text message from one of Shembo's friends, telling her, "Don't do anything you would regret. Messing with notre dame football is a bad idea."
She killed herself Sept. 10, overdosing on prescription medication.
Notre Dame conducted an investigation- not interviewing Shembo until five days after Seeberg's suicide. Shembo's attorney maintains the incident was consensual.
Chicago Tribune Deputy Metro editor Mark Jacob talks with Lighty about Shembo coming forward, having Lizzy Seeberg's father talk about the case (or the lack of one going forward) and any possible repercussions...
The biggest stink the HQ sees in this- among many of them- is that no one from the university has even addressed any remorse over the Seeberg suicide and the family's feelings in the matter...
Pair this with the death of the GA in high winds and there's too much to say about how a big business in a small town rules the town... and that will never change...
Monday, January 27, 2014
Mizzou Finally Looking Into 2010 Rape Allegations
((HT: KOMU-TV))
The University of Missouri system will now look into allegations centering around a 2010 sexual assault of swimmer Sasha Menu Courey- possibly by one or more members of the football team at the time...
System President Tim Wolfe released a statement after an ESPN report that said in part:
"In light of the ESPN "Outside The Lines" report that questioned the response of our Columbia campus to an alleged sexual assault of a former MU student athlete who also suffered from severe mental illness, I want to address the questions raised with all of you and ask for your immediate assistance and support. I am asking the board of curators to hire outside independent counsel to conduct an investigation of MU's handling of matters related to Ms. Courey."
OTL published a story that claims the university did not tell law enforcement about the alleged rape of Courey despite administrators finding out about the alleged incident more than a year ago.
Menu Courey committed suicide in 2011.
Here's the local coverage...
In addition to any retroactive investigating by state officials on any possible negligence in not pursuing the Courey case, the Missouri system could also face an inquiry by the Office of Civil Rights...
And the HQ is looking forward to this investigation...
The University of Missouri system will now look into allegations centering around a 2010 sexual assault of swimmer Sasha Menu Courey- possibly by one or more members of the football team at the time...
System President Tim Wolfe released a statement after an ESPN report that said in part:
"In light of the ESPN "Outside The Lines" report that questioned the response of our Columbia campus to an alleged sexual assault of a former MU student athlete who also suffered from severe mental illness, I want to address the questions raised with all of you and ask for your immediate assistance and support. I am asking the board of curators to hire outside independent counsel to conduct an investigation of MU's handling of matters related to Ms. Courey."
OTL published a story that claims the university did not tell law enforcement about the alleged rape of Courey despite administrators finding out about the alleged incident more than a year ago.
Menu Courey committed suicide in 2011.
Here's the local coverage...
In addition to any retroactive investigating by state officials on any possible negligence in not pursuing the Courey case, the Missouri system could also face an inquiry by the Office of Civil Rights...
And the HQ is looking forward to this investigation...
Friday, December 13, 2013
DEVELOPING: Winston Accuser Attorney Blasts Investigation
Surprising no one, really...
Patricia Carroll, the attorney in the Jameis Winston rape case, held her own press conference this morning and understandably ripped the state attorney's office...
Her largest point of concern is in medical records released to the press, claiming they were intentionally redacted, though the family's copy includes more evidence of a rape- 2 pages in particular
"They are significantly different," she said. "There is no reason why the state would redact the injuries of the victim … There is no reason this would be redacted. In fact, I specifically requested (non-redacted) documents."
Carroll also went after Tallahassee police for allegedly only obtaining search warrants on the victim rather than on Winston. Carroll also went after state's attorney Willie Meggs and wants the state Attorney General Pam Bondi to hold an independent investigation of her own.
Carroll still backs her client and the assertion that she was raped, and there is no word yet from Bondi on whether she will pursue from her office...
More when we know more...
Patricia Carroll, the attorney in the Jameis Winston rape case, held her own press conference this morning and understandably ripped the state attorney's office...
Her largest point of concern is in medical records released to the press, claiming they were intentionally redacted, though the family's copy includes more evidence of a rape- 2 pages in particular
"They are significantly different," she said. "There is no reason why the state would redact the injuries of the victim … There is no reason this would be redacted. In fact, I specifically requested (non-redacted) documents."
Carroll also went after Tallahassee police for allegedly only obtaining search warrants on the victim rather than on Winston. Carroll also went after state's attorney Willie Meggs and wants the state Attorney General Pam Bondi to hold an independent investigation of her own.
Carroll still backs her client and the assertion that she was raped, and there is no word yet from Bondi on whether she will pursue from her office...
More when we know more...
Monday, November 25, 2013
4 More Charged In Steubenville Rape Case
((HT: WTRF-TV))
The Steubenville High rape case continues to gather depth as four more individuals have been arrested in association with the case where Steubenville football players recorded a rape a 16-year-old on their camera phones, shuttled it around on social media, and were part of a conspiracy to make sure no charges were filed in and around the football team.
Two players, Ma'Lik Richmond and Trent Mays, were convicted in the case and now four more individuals are up on charges after a grand jury investigation. Richmond was convicted of rape and sentenced to a year as a juvenile. Mays was convicted of rape and of using his phone to take a picture of the girl.
He was sentenced to two years in juvenile detention.
A special grand jury had investigated whether coaches and/or school administrators knew of the rape allegation, but failed to report that they knew- and exactly just how much they knew.
Here's the initial results brought forth...
Steubenville City Schools Superintendent Michael McVey has been indicted on five counts:
One count of tampering with evidence - a third degree felony
Two Counts of obstructing justice - a fifth degree felony
One count of falsification, a first degree misdemeanor
One count of obstructing official business, a second degree misdemeanor
McVey could face up to 7 years and 270 days in prison.
The second person is Lynnett Gorman- the principal of West Elementary in Steubenville- was charged with failure to report child abuse, a fourth degree misdemeanor. Gorman could face up to 30 days in jail.
The third is Seth Fluharty- wrestling coach and special education teacher at Steubenville High. He was also charged with failure to report child abuse. Fluharty could serve up to the same 30 day sentence.
The fourth is Matthew Bellardine, a former volunteer coach for the football team, who faces four charges including:
Underage persons offenses concerning ("beer or intoxicating liquor") - a first degree misdemeanor
Obstructing Official Business - a second degree misdemeanor
Falsification - a first degree misdemeanor
Contributing to the unruliness or delinquency of a child - a first degree misdemeanor
Bellardine could serve up to 1 year and 265 days in jail.
Here's the press conference in full with Ohio AG Mike DeWine
WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville
Here's the press release on the findings of the grand jury...
The Steubenville High rape case continues to gather depth as four more individuals have been arrested in association with the case where Steubenville football players recorded a rape a 16-year-old on their camera phones, shuttled it around on social media, and were part of a conspiracy to make sure no charges were filed in and around the football team.
Two players, Ma'Lik Richmond and Trent Mays, were convicted in the case and now four more individuals are up on charges after a grand jury investigation. Richmond was convicted of rape and sentenced to a year as a juvenile. Mays was convicted of rape and of using his phone to take a picture of the girl.
He was sentenced to two years in juvenile detention.
A special grand jury had investigated whether coaches and/or school administrators knew of the rape allegation, but failed to report that they knew- and exactly just how much they knew.
Here's the initial results brought forth...
Steubenville City Schools Superintendent Michael McVey has been indicted on five counts:
One count of tampering with evidence - a third degree felony
Two Counts of obstructing justice - a fifth degree felony
One count of falsification, a first degree misdemeanor
One count of obstructing official business, a second degree misdemeanor
McVey could face up to 7 years and 270 days in prison.
The second person is Lynnett Gorman- the principal of West Elementary in Steubenville- was charged with failure to report child abuse, a fourth degree misdemeanor. Gorman could face up to 30 days in jail.
The third is Seth Fluharty- wrestling coach and special education teacher at Steubenville High. He was also charged with failure to report child abuse. Fluharty could serve up to the same 30 day sentence.
The fourth is Matthew Bellardine, a former volunteer coach for the football team, who faces four charges including:
Underage persons offenses concerning ("beer or intoxicating liquor") - a first degree misdemeanor
Obstructing Official Business - a second degree misdemeanor
Falsification - a first degree misdemeanor
Contributing to the unruliness or delinquency of a child - a first degree misdemeanor
Bellardine could serve up to 1 year and 265 days in jail.
Here's the press conference in full with Ohio AG Mike DeWine
WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville
Here's the press release on the findings of the grand jury...
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
OSG High: Another Small Town Sexual Assault, Another Dodge...??? (UPDATED)
((HT: KSHB-TV))
The short version of a very long story...
Thanks to the Kansas City Star and Dugan Arnett's quality digging over the weekend, the Missouri town of Maryville is now getting hammered for its lack of impact in a sexual assault case involving a 14-year-old girl.
Almost two years ago, Daisy Coleman (and the HQ is only using the name because the family has released it and are doing interviews) was at a party that had older MHS football players there as well.
17-year-old Matthew Barnett gave Coleman a "drink" made up of a clear liquid and they had sex. Barnett claims it was consensual. Coleman and a friend (who also had sex at the party, but says she told the male "no") were then taken home, but instead of letting Coleman sober up, she was dumped in her front yard- in January, in Missouri...
Barnett was charged as an adult for sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Daisy's mom, Melinda, was fired from her job. Daisy went into depression including multiple failed suicide attempts. The Colemans moved back to their home town, and the Maryville home they lived in burnt to the ground.
No one knows how the home burned to the ground or why Melinda was fired, but folks think it's all related to the court case.
And... and this is a big "and..."
The charges against the boy who taped the sex Coleman had with Barnett were dropped by the local prosecutor. Robert Rice says there wasn't enough evidence.
State lawmakers are looking for answers, but is it too late...???
And, now that Anonymous has their hands on it, Maryville is on a very long road until a "satisfactory" result can be found for the Coleman family... "If Maryville won't defend these young girls, if the police are too cowardly or corrupt to do their jobs, if justice system has abandoned them, then we will have to stand for them," Anonymous said in a statement. "Mayor Jim Fall, your hands are dirty. Maryville, expect us." Dan Wetzel has a must read on the analysis over at Yahoo!Sports and the HQ thinks this is another case of small towns where the influential can get things "taken care of..." It's not the first, but it won't be the last either... PM UPDATE: The Kansas City Star's Arnett and Helling have updated the matter that now Rice says that he’s asked a judge to appoint a special prosecutor who can determine whether any charges should be filed in the case. From Arnett and Helling: (Rice)said he decided to ask for the special prosecutor after witnesses in the case said they would cooperate with the investigation. Earlier, Rice said, that was not the case. He said the alleged victim had invoked her right against self-incrimination during his investigation, shutting off the possibility of a prosecution. Rice’s account differs from that of Melinda Coleman, mother of the alleged victim, who has contended that she had willingly cooperated in the case until Rice dropped the two most serious felony charges in March 2012, two months after he’d filed them. Of course, Rice held this press conference... here's part one thanks to KCTV And here's an interview that CNN held with the Colemans before the presser...
The short version of a very long story...
Thanks to the Kansas City Star and Dugan Arnett's quality digging over the weekend, the Missouri town of Maryville is now getting hammered for its lack of impact in a sexual assault case involving a 14-year-old girl.
Almost two years ago, Daisy Coleman (and the HQ is only using the name because the family has released it and are doing interviews) was at a party that had older MHS football players there as well.
17-year-old Matthew Barnett gave Coleman a "drink" made up of a clear liquid and they had sex. Barnett claims it was consensual. Coleman and a friend (who also had sex at the party, but says she told the male "no") were then taken home, but instead of letting Coleman sober up, she was dumped in her front yard- in January, in Missouri...
Barnett was charged as an adult for sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Daisy's mom, Melinda, was fired from her job. Daisy went into depression including multiple failed suicide attempts. The Colemans moved back to their home town, and the Maryville home they lived in burnt to the ground.
No one knows how the home burned to the ground or why Melinda was fired, but folks think it's all related to the court case.
And... and this is a big "and..."
The charges against the boy who taped the sex Coleman had with Barnett were dropped by the local prosecutor. Robert Rice says there wasn't enough evidence.
State lawmakers are looking for answers, but is it too late...???
And, now that Anonymous has their hands on it, Maryville is on a very long road until a "satisfactory" result can be found for the Coleman family... "If Maryville won't defend these young girls, if the police are too cowardly or corrupt to do their jobs, if justice system has abandoned them, then we will have to stand for them," Anonymous said in a statement. "Mayor Jim Fall, your hands are dirty. Maryville, expect us." Dan Wetzel has a must read on the analysis over at Yahoo!Sports and the HQ thinks this is another case of small towns where the influential can get things "taken care of..." It's not the first, but it won't be the last either... PM UPDATE: The Kansas City Star's Arnett and Helling have updated the matter that now Rice says that he’s asked a judge to appoint a special prosecutor who can determine whether any charges should be filed in the case. From Arnett and Helling: (Rice)said he decided to ask for the special prosecutor after witnesses in the case said they would cooperate with the investigation. Earlier, Rice said, that was not the case. He said the alleged victim had invoked her right against self-incrimination during his investigation, shutting off the possibility of a prosecution. Rice’s account differs from that of Melinda Coleman, mother of the alleged victim, who has contended that she had willingly cooperated in the case until Rice dropped the two most serious felony charges in March 2012, two months after he’d filed them. Of course, Rice held this press conference... here's part one thanks to KCTV And here's an interview that CNN held with the Colemans before the presser...
Friday, August 16, 2013
OSG High: Steubenville Football Player Must Register As Tier 2 Sex Offender
((HT: WTRF-TV
One of the two Steubenville (OH) High School football players convicted in the rape of a fellow student has to register as a Tier II sex offender.
Ma'Lik Richmond was back in court where he now joins Trent Mays in that stauts. The victim's family, as well as Mays' and Richmond's families were all in court for the hearing.
According to the Ohio Bar Association, a Tier 2 offender "includes those who have been convicted of offenses such as gross sexual imposition with a victim under 13 years old, pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor when the offender is four or more years older than the victim. Adult offenders must register every 180 days for 25 years; juvenile offenders must register for 20 years."
The defense had asked for Richmond's sex offender registration to end after age 21- pointing to his lack of a criminal record before his prosecution.
The state said that it was mandatory that Richmond receive some type of label and asked that Richmond receive same treatment and same classification as Trent Mays.
Here's the story form the courtroom...
WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville
Here's the story where Mays was given a Tier II status...
One of the two Steubenville (OH) High School football players convicted in the rape of a fellow student has to register as a Tier II sex offender.
Ma'Lik Richmond was back in court where he now joins Trent Mays in that stauts. The victim's family, as well as Mays' and Richmond's families were all in court for the hearing.
According to the Ohio Bar Association, a Tier 2 offender "includes those who have been convicted of offenses such as gross sexual imposition with a victim under 13 years old, pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor when the offender is four or more years older than the victim. Adult offenders must register every 180 days for 25 years; juvenile offenders must register for 20 years."
The defense had asked for Richmond's sex offender registration to end after age 21- pointing to his lack of a criminal record before his prosecution.
The state said that it was mandatory that Richmond receive some type of label and asked that Richmond receive same treatment and same classification as Trent Mays.
Here's the story form the courtroom...
WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville
Here's the story where Mays was given a Tier II status...
Friday, August 9, 2013
DEVELOPING: 4 Dismissed Vandy Players Charged In June Rape
((HT: Tennessean/Haas))
Four former Vanderbilt football players (pictured right, thanks Tennesseean) have each been charged with five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery.
Brandon Vandenburg from California- was one of the biggest 2013 recruits
Brandon Eric Banks from Maryland
JaBorian “Tip” McKenzie from Mississippi and
Cory Batey of Nashville were charged in the indictment.
Vandenburg was also charged with one count of tampering with evidence and a count of unlawful photography.
Here's the initial story from our friends at Fox Nashville...
Batey has already been arrested and taken to General Hospital for a mandatory blood draw.
“I do not know exactly what the charges are, but I'm sure it involves some type of sexual misconduct,” Batey’s attorney, Worrick Robinson, told the Tennessean.
Police are trying to track down the other three and maintain that the four raped an unconscious woman in Vandenburg’s dorm room June 23rd of this year. The alleged victim's identity has not been announced because of a rape shield law in the state of Tennessee.
From Haas:
Police first got word after university officials checked a hallway security camera in an unrelated incident and saw suspicious behavior by the four.
Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson called the evidence, “compelling” and “unsettling”. Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron said he couldn’t elaborate on the unlawful photography charge, but said their electronics expert was “heavily involved” in their investigation.
“Our electronics expert specializes in the forensic analysis of modern-day electronic gadgets,” Aaron said.
Banks’ attorney, Grover Collins, is trying to get Banks in custody as soon as possible, and Aaron would not address the idea that more arrests could be made in the case.
Cory Batey's bond has been set at $350,000- operating under the assumption that Batey could be a flight risk as he is the local of the four- thus the high amount.
1800 UPDATE: Here's an interview Aaron gave with the guys from the 3 Hour Lunch on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville
According to the Nashville City Paper, QB Austyn Carta-Samuels is subpoenaed as a witness in the case as well as tight end Dillon van der Wal. Offensive lineman Jake Bernstein, wide receiver De'Andre Woods and long-snapper Mack Prioleau were also listed by the state as witnesses.
Here's the Vanderbilt presser, thanks to our friends at Newschannel 5
((HT: WTVF-TV))
NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather
Four former Vanderbilt football players (pictured right, thanks Tennesseean) have each been charged with five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery.
Brandon Vandenburg from California- was one of the biggest 2013 recruits
JaBorian “Tip” McKenzie from Mississippi and
Cory Batey of Nashville were charged in the indictment.
Vandenburg was also charged with one count of tampering with evidence and a count of unlawful photography.
Here's the initial story from our friends at Fox Nashville...
Batey has already been arrested and taken to General Hospital for a mandatory blood draw.
“I do not know exactly what the charges are, but I'm sure it involves some type of sexual misconduct,” Batey’s attorney, Worrick Robinson, told the Tennessean.
Police are trying to track down the other three and maintain that the four raped an unconscious woman in Vandenburg’s dorm room June 23rd of this year. The alleged victim's identity has not been announced because of a rape shield law in the state of Tennessee.
From Haas:
Police first got word after university officials checked a hallway security camera in an unrelated incident and saw suspicious behavior by the four.
Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson called the evidence, “compelling” and “unsettling”. Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron said he couldn’t elaborate on the unlawful photography charge, but said their electronics expert was “heavily involved” in their investigation.
“Our electronics expert specializes in the forensic analysis of modern-day electronic gadgets,” Aaron said.
Banks’ attorney, Grover Collins, is trying to get Banks in custody as soon as possible, and Aaron would not address the idea that more arrests could be made in the case.
Cory Batey's bond has been set at $350,000- operating under the assumption that Batey could be a flight risk as he is the local of the four- thus the high amount.
1800 UPDATE: Here's an interview Aaron gave with the guys from the 3 Hour Lunch on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville
According to the Nashville City Paper, QB Austyn Carta-Samuels is subpoenaed as a witness in the case as well as tight end Dillon van der Wal. Offensive lineman Jake Bernstein, wide receiver De'Andre Woods and long-snapper Mack Prioleau were also listed by the state as witnesses.
Here's the Vanderbilt presser, thanks to our friends at Newschannel 5
((HT: WTVF-TV))
NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather
Monday, July 8, 2013
Lawrence Taylor's Son Arrested In Georgia For Statutory Rape, Sodomy
HT: New York Post
 |
| Lawrence Taylor, Jr's Mug Shot |
We all know the rap sheet on Lawrence Taylor during and after his playing days with the New York Giants. The elder LT was arrested for buying drugs in the past. In 2010 Taylor was arrested for having sex with and underage prostitute. LT plead guilty on that charge but was acquitted on assault charges.
LT's son now has his own issues with an alleged sex crime.
Lawrence Taylor, Jr. was arrested Sunday by the Cobb County, Georgia and charged with statutory rape, aggravated sodomy and child molestation according to the Cobb County Sheriff's office.
It is being reported that one of the accusers is a female under the age of 16.
We won't go into the details but you can read the New York Post ariticle here for all the juicy details.
Another witness who is also an underage female told police she's had consensual sex with LT, Jr. several times last year. That would be your alleged statutory rape charge.
Lawrence Taylor Jr. could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted on either the sodomy charge or the child molestation charge according to the Cobb County District Attorney's Office.
L T Jr. is being held without bond at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center. Lawrence Taylor Jr. could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted on either the sodomy charge or the child molestation charge according to the Cobb County District Attorney's Office.
Here's the early info from 11Alive
((HT: 11Alive.com))
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Serena Goes In Reverse Over Steubenville Comments
Of course, she does...
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine and Stephen Rodrick, Serena Williams had the audacity to say the following when it came to the victim in the Steubenville High School rape case:
From Deadspin:
"We watch the news for a while, and the infamous Steubenville rape case flashes on the TV—two high school football players raped a 16-year-old, while other students watched and texted details of the crime. Serena just shakes her head. "Do you think it was fair, what they got? They did something stupid, but I don't know. I'm not blaming the girl, but if you're a 16-year-old and you're drunk like that, your parents should teach you—don't take drinks from other people. She's 16, why was she that drunk where she doesn't remember? It could have been much worse. She's lucky. Obviously I don't know, maybe she wasn't a virgin, but she shouldn't have put herself in that position, unless they slipped her something, then that's different."
The HQ just has to say, "Really...???"
"Really..."
Yup... really...
We have no earthly idea what Serena was thinking about the whole thing, unless it was something having to do with this display when the verdicts came down...
((HT: CNN))
And if she was in the same boat of thought, all the HQ can do is shake its collective head...
So, of course, now Serena has slammed the gear shift into reverse... over something she "supposedly said..."
Through her Twitter:
“What happened in Steubenville was a real shock for me. I was deeply saddened. For someone to be raped, and at only sixteen, is such a horrible tragedy! For both families involved – that of the rape victim and of the accused. I am currently reaching out to the girl’s family to let her know that I am deeply sorry for what was written in the Rolling Stone article. What was written – what I supposedly said – is insensitive and hurtful, and I by no means would say or insinuate that she was at all to blame.
I have fought all of my career for women’s equality, women’s equal rights, respect in their fields – anything I could do to support women I have done. My prayers and support always goes out to the rape victim. In this case, most especially, to an innocent sixteen year old child.”
The WTA has come out with a statement of their own saying that if Serena said what she said, they really don't agree with her stance...
The Poynter Institute talked to Rodrick and he is standing by his interview with Serena... Saying it's on tape...
Well then, Serena it's time to return the rally... and it looks like she said it...
Oops...
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine and Stephen Rodrick, Serena Williams had the audacity to say the following when it came to the victim in the Steubenville High School rape case:
From Deadspin:
"We watch the news for a while, and the infamous Steubenville rape case flashes on the TV—two high school football players raped a 16-year-old, while other students watched and texted details of the crime. Serena just shakes her head. "Do you think it was fair, what they got? They did something stupid, but I don't know. I'm not blaming the girl, but if you're a 16-year-old and you're drunk like that, your parents should teach you—don't take drinks from other people. She's 16, why was she that drunk where she doesn't remember? It could have been much worse. She's lucky. Obviously I don't know, maybe she wasn't a virgin, but she shouldn't have put herself in that position, unless they slipped her something, then that's different."
The HQ just has to say, "Really...???"
"Really..."
Yup... really...
We have no earthly idea what Serena was thinking about the whole thing, unless it was something having to do with this display when the verdicts came down...
((HT: CNN))
And if she was in the same boat of thought, all the HQ can do is shake its collective head...
So, of course, now Serena has slammed the gear shift into reverse... over something she "supposedly said..."
Through her Twitter:
“What happened in Steubenville was a real shock for me. I was deeply saddened. For someone to be raped, and at only sixteen, is such a horrible tragedy! For both families involved – that of the rape victim and of the accused. I am currently reaching out to the girl’s family to let her know that I am deeply sorry for what was written in the Rolling Stone article. What was written – what I supposedly said – is insensitive and hurtful, and I by no means would say or insinuate that she was at all to blame.
I have fought all of my career for women’s equality, women’s equal rights, respect in their fields – anything I could do to support women I have done. My prayers and support always goes out to the rape victim. In this case, most especially, to an innocent sixteen year old child.”
The WTA has come out with a statement of their own saying that if Serena said what she said, they really don't agree with her stance...
The Poynter Institute talked to Rodrick and he is standing by his interview with Serena... Saying it's on tape...
Well then, Serena it's time to return the rally... and it looks like she said it...
Oops...
Monday, June 17, 2013
OSG High: Banks Rape Accuser Must Pay Back $2.6M To School District
((HT: CNN))
Wanetta Gibson accused Brian Banks of raping her as they were both in high school at Long Beach Poly in 2002. Banks was the high school football star who, seemingly, had his life in front of him at the time.
Banks was convicted, only to be released ten years later after years of appeals, and found out that the allegations Gibson made on rape and kidnapping after a consensual sexual act were false- she admitted to that on tape after she received her settlement.
Banks was released from jail in May of 2012 and is trying to catch on with the Atlanta Falcons as a linebacker.
Greg Mellen of the Long Beach Press-Telegram now says that the Long Beach school district can now try and reclaim the settlement Gibson got from them. She currently is somewhere she can't be found, but the district can get their money back from future wages.
Don Lemon discusses with Sunny Hostin
The settlement was somewhere between $750,000 and $1.5-million.
Wanetta Gibson accused Brian Banks of raping her as they were both in high school at Long Beach Poly in 2002. Banks was the high school football star who, seemingly, had his life in front of him at the time.
Banks was convicted, only to be released ten years later after years of appeals, and found out that the allegations Gibson made on rape and kidnapping after a consensual sexual act were false- she admitted to that on tape after she received her settlement.
Banks was released from jail in May of 2012 and is trying to catch on with the Atlanta Falcons as a linebacker.
Greg Mellen of the Long Beach Press-Telegram now says that the Long Beach school district can now try and reclaim the settlement Gibson got from them. She currently is somewhere she can't be found, but the district can get their money back from future wages.
Don Lemon discusses with Sunny Hostin
The settlement was somewhere between $750,000 and $1.5-million.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Spring Break Party Turns Into Rape Charges For Morehouse Athletes
((HT: 11alive.com))
Three Morehouse College basketball players have been charged with a combination of rape, aggravated sodomy, kidnapping and reckless conduct.
And the question of consent while impaired may be the hook for both the defense and the prosecution...
Eyewitness accounts have the Spring Break party celebration heading into the alleged victim telling police that she admits drinking some alcohol but says she did not use drugs, and does not remember much of what happened at the club or afterward.
Several witnesses say the victim did have sex with several men in several rooms, and one witness says the victim used a drug, and even threatened others at the party with a knife telling those around her that she "knew what she was doing."
Here's 11 Alive's in-depth report...
Morehouse students who violate the school's code of conduct and the law will receive disciplinary actions- which could go as far as being dismissed from the college.
All three basketball players are out on bond and deny their involvement in any rape through their attorney...
Three Morehouse College basketball players have been charged with a combination of rape, aggravated sodomy, kidnapping and reckless conduct.
And the question of consent while impaired may be the hook for both the defense and the prosecution...
Eyewitness accounts have the Spring Break party celebration heading into the alleged victim telling police that she admits drinking some alcohol but says she did not use drugs, and does not remember much of what happened at the club or afterward.
Several witnesses say the victim did have sex with several men in several rooms, and one witness says the victim used a drug, and even threatened others at the party with a knife telling those around her that she "knew what she was doing."
Here's 11 Alive's in-depth report...
Morehouse students who violate the school's code of conduct and the law will receive disciplinary actions- which could go as far as being dismissed from the college.
All three basketball players are out on bond and deny their involvement in any rape through their attorney...
Monday, April 22, 2013
OSG High: Steubenville HSFB Coach Gets Contract Extension... Really...
((HT: Salon.com, McDonough))
Katie McDonough lets us all know that Steubenville High head football coach Reno Saccoccia- for whatever he did (or "didn't do") in the rape case that involved two of his players- gets a contract extension...
In a previous Salon piece during the rape trial in Steubenville, McDonough divulged:
text messages seized from Mays’ cellphone indicate that Saccoccia had seen the video in which another student “joked” that “Trent and Ma’lik raped someone” as soon as it was released.
The day after the incident, Mays texted a friend: “I got Reno. He took care of it and shit ain’t gonna happen, even if they did take it to court. Like he was joking about it so I’m not worried,” according to an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, who testified in the rape case.
He, as a hall of fame head football coach, member of the 300-win club, and someone who dines with the local sheriff, seemed to view himself as untouchable. So, the coach knew about the incident and failed to report it to school administrators and the authorities... in an official crime-reporting capacity...
Saccoccia also failed to discipline players who ferried photos of the victim to each other- until week 9 of the regular season. But his actions may have him in front of a grand jury soon...
FOSG Christi Paul discusses on "Raising America"
((HT: HLN))
Katie McDonough lets us all know that Steubenville High head football coach Reno Saccoccia- for whatever he did (or "didn't do") in the rape case that involved two of his players- gets a contract extension...
In a previous Salon piece during the rape trial in Steubenville, McDonough divulged:
text messages seized from Mays’ cellphone indicate that Saccoccia had seen the video in which another student “joked” that “Trent and Ma’lik raped someone” as soon as it was released.
The day after the incident, Mays texted a friend: “I got Reno. He took care of it and shit ain’t gonna happen, even if they did take it to court. Like he was joking about it so I’m not worried,” according to an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, who testified in the rape case.
He, as a hall of fame head football coach, member of the 300-win club, and someone who dines with the local sheriff, seemed to view himself as untouchable. So, the coach knew about the incident and failed to report it to school administrators and the authorities... in an official crime-reporting capacity...
Saccoccia also failed to discipline players who ferried photos of the victim to each other- until week 9 of the regular season. But his actions may have him in front of a grand jury soon...
FOSG Christi Paul discusses on "Raising America"
((HT: HLN))
Sunday, March 17, 2013
BREAKING: Steubenville FB Players Found Delinquent
The judge in the rape case involving two Steubenville, Ohio football players has found them delinquent in the case that has split the town over the last few months. This is similar to a guilty verdict in an adult court.
The two players were alleged to have gotten the accuser in the case so drunk that she could not remember what happened on the evening in question, and she reiterated as much when she took the stand yesterday.
The case was somewhat uncharacteristic in that the judge in the case, Thomas Lipps, was to decide the fate of the players.
More when we know more...
1400 UPDATE: We know more...
The attorney for the plaintiff, Bob Fitzsimmons, came on CNN to discuss and says (to no one's surprise) that his client wants her life back...
Here's Poppy Harlow with the Q-and-A
Both defendants will be spending their time associated with the Ohio Department of Youth Services for the minimum of 1 year. Trent Mays received two years in his sentences to be served consecutively. Ma'Lik Richmond will serve one year. Judge Lipps also said both can be held under DYS custody until they're 21. Mays, 17, was sentenced to an additional year in jail on a charge of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, to be served concurrently with his rape conviction.
Both Mays and Richmond, 16, have been ordered to avoid contact with the victim until they are 21.
The two players were alleged to have gotten the accuser in the case so drunk that she could not remember what happened on the evening in question, and she reiterated as much when she took the stand yesterday.
The case was somewhat uncharacteristic in that the judge in the case, Thomas Lipps, was to decide the fate of the players.
More when we know more...
1400 UPDATE: We know more...
The attorney for the plaintiff, Bob Fitzsimmons, came on CNN to discuss and says (to no one's surprise) that his client wants her life back...
Here's Poppy Harlow with the Q-and-A
Both defendants will be spending their time associated with the Ohio Department of Youth Services for the minimum of 1 year. Trent Mays received two years in his sentences to be served consecutively. Ma'Lik Richmond will serve one year. Judge Lipps also said both can be held under DYS custody until they're 21. Mays, 17, was sentenced to an additional year in jail on a charge of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, to be served concurrently with his rape conviction.
Both Mays and Richmond, 16, have been ordered to avoid contact with the victim until they are 21.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Day 3: Steubenville- Kids Who Watched Cut A Deal
((HT: WTRF-TV))
Witnesses 16, 17, and 18 continued to exercise their Fifth Amendment rights and would not testify as to their activities the night of the alleged rape in Steubenville.
Mark Cole, Evan Westlake and Anthony Craig were then granted immunity by the judge in the case of Steubenville High football players Trent Mays and Ma'Lik Richmond. They are charged with digitally penetrating the girl August 12th, first in a car and then in the basement of a house. Mays also is charged with illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material.
Cole, Westlake, and Craig were forced to read rather graphic text messages that were sent, round-robin, to their friends. If convicted, Mays and Richmond could be held in a juvenile facility until they turn 21.
Former Steubenville police detective Jean-Phillipe Rigaud testified that the accuser in the case could not remember much of the evening in question. But she did remember throwing up in the street, leaving one of the two parties of the evening, and then waking up naked the next morning.
Rigaud's testimony was echoed by the accuser Saturday when she finally made the witness stand.
Here's the Day 3 wrap...
WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville
Witnesses 16, 17, and 18 continued to exercise their Fifth Amendment rights and would not testify as to their activities the night of the alleged rape in Steubenville.
Mark Cole, Evan Westlake and Anthony Craig were then granted immunity by the judge in the case of Steubenville High football players Trent Mays and Ma'Lik Richmond. They are charged with digitally penetrating the girl August 12th, first in a car and then in the basement of a house. Mays also is charged with illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material.
Cole, Westlake, and Craig were forced to read rather graphic text messages that were sent, round-robin, to their friends. If convicted, Mays and Richmond could be held in a juvenile facility until they turn 21.
Former Steubenville police detective Jean-Phillipe Rigaud testified that the accuser in the case could not remember much of the evening in question. But she did remember throwing up in the street, leaving one of the two parties of the evening, and then waking up naked the next morning.
Rigaud's testimony was echoed by the accuser Saturday when she finally made the witness stand.
Here's the Day 3 wrap...
WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville
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