DEVELOPING: Vandy WR Boyd Pleads To Lesser Charge, McKenzie's Alcorn Career Over After 1 Game...

((HT: WSMV-TV))

Suspended Vanderbilt WR Chris Boyd pleaded guilty to lesser charges in a local criminal court appearance this morning- a misdemeanor charge of "criminal attempt to being accessory after the fact."

Boyd was given an 11 month, 29 day suspended sentence. He has been placed on probation and won't serve any more jail time right now. He was suspected of helping to cover up the alleged sexual assault inside a dorm room at Vanderbilt.

Before the sentence was handed down, prosecutors read text messages between Boyd and one of the rape suspects in open court about what may have happened on the night in question. Vanderbilt suspended Boyd from the football team upon learning of his initial indictment.

Here was the court appearance...
WSMV Channel 4

The HQ's guess is that Boyd cut a deal to inform authorities about the others who are allegedly involved in the case...

Speaking of ex-teammates, JaBorian "Tip" McKenzie's career at Alcorn State lasted one game. McKenzie, after being banned from the Vanderbilt campus as a result of the accusations, transferred to Alcorn and could play immediately because of Alcorn's FCS/Division I-AA status. He wasn't listed on an active roster, but played last Saturday.

In a statement, Alcorn State University President M. Christopher Brown II, said:

"Alcorn failed to sufficiently examine the allegations against McKenzie before allowing him to participate in our football program ... In an effort to provide educational opportunities to a Southwest Mississippi student, Alcorn State University made an error in judgment."

1 Of 4 Ex-Vandy Players To Plead Not Guilty

((HT: WSMV-TV))

One of the four ex-Vanderbilt football players charged in the allegedly rape of an unconscious student in June has waived his right to appear at his arraignment and intends to enter a not guilty plea.

Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie along with Brandon Vandenburg, Cory Batey, and 19-year-old Brandon Banks have all been charged. McKenzie and Banks are currently free on bond.

McKenzie is free on a lesser bond than the other three defendants- a recommended $50,000 by the District Attorney's office.

Here's the latest from this afternoon...
WSMV Channel 4

Conventional wisdom is that McKenzie may be the one who is going to flip on his three ex-teammates...

McKenzie's attorney, Jodie Bell, volunteered nothing...of course...

"On behalf of Mr. McKenzie, out of respect for the victim, in light of the pending litigation, and the ongoing investigation, we are not making any comment at this time."

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