Why isthe justice system designed to take so long when convicting defendants who are clearly guilty? Melinda McDowell, spokeswoman for the Metro Nashville Jail, said Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey were released Wednesday. Please do not use my absence as an excuse for leniency as it in no way diminishes the profound and insidious impact of Mr. Vandenburg on me and my life, the victim wrote, according to her lawyer. But Vandenburg and Batey have been held in jail since January after the jury found them guilty on multiple counts of rape and aggravated sexual battery. Vandenburg apparently had been issued a misdemeanor citation while he was out awaiting trial. (AP) The fourth defendant in a 2013 rape. Jaborian McKenzie is also charged in the case. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. Two other football players Brandon E. Banks and Jaborian Tip McKenzie are also charged in the attack. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A former Vanderbilt football player was sentenced Friday to 15 years in prison after he was convicted of taking part in the gang rape of an unconscious female student. One also videoed it and sent the footage to friends as it was happening. What do all of these people have in common? They were involved. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 2023 Cable News Network. Each was charged with five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery. Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Monte Watkins handed down the sentence for Cory Batey after the victim in the case said her life has been shattered as a result of the rape. Earlier, one of the defense attorneys conceded that Vandenburg took "deplorable" photos, but shouldn't be convicted of rape because he didn't take part in it. A judge Friday sentenced former Vanderbilt University football player Cory Batey to 15 years in prison, but said the man's true punishment for raping an unconscious woman three years ago. First, Vanderbilt University dismissed all four attackersfrom the football team and suspended them. The declaration of a mistrial on Tuesday was a stunning turn of events in a highly publicized case that raised troubling questions about rape on college campuses and the role of bystanders who fail to act. After the rape though, Prioleau proved to beincredibly helpful to his rapist friends. "I've seen with my own eyes what I was when Mr. Batey was done with me: a piece of trash, face down in a hallway, covered in his urine and palm prints, a photograph he took himself," the woman said. Two former Vanderbilt University football players are facing the possibility of decades in prison after it took a jury less than four hours to convict them for their roles in a 2013 sexual. The two other players have yet to stand trial. [12] Prioleau was charged as an accessory to the crime and received one year of unsupervised probation. The sentencing comes amid widespread furor over a Stanford University swimmer who was sentenced to six months in jail for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman on a college campus. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Former NFL player Zac Stacy was sentenced to six months in jail in Florida on Monday night, more than a year after video appeared to show him attacking an ex-girlfriend.. Stacy, 31, was remanded into custody by Orange County Circuit Judge Mark Blechman shortly after pleading guilty to battery, court records showed. Vandenburg and Batey were accused with two other players of assaulting an unconscious female student in a dorm room in June 2013. A Warner Bros. Brandon Vandenburg, 23, was convicted of multiple counts of aggravated rape and sexual battery three years after the trial began. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. [12], The players were dismissed from the football team on June 29, 2013, and banned from campus during the six-week investigation that followed. Banks' father was among four people who testified on his behalf Friday. Corey Lamont Batey, 21, and Brandon. Three of the football players have been convicted ( one as recently as June 2017) and one still awaits trial. "We will review our athletics program to be sure that it, like all other programs at the university, reflects our culture of community and respect for others and that our student athletes are held to the same high standards of conduct as all our students. One year of unsupervised probation, which, if completed, will leave his record squeaky clean. Garland testifies before Senate panel amid ongoing special counsel probes, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, Closing arguments underway in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. Bond was set at $400,000 for Vandenburg, of Indio, California. The trial also featured testimony from several athletes at the school who saw the female student in distress but failed to call for help. Vandenburg was also charged with tampering with evidence and unlawful photography. NASHVILLE (Reuters) - A former Vanderbilt University football player charged in the 2013 rape of an unconscious female student in a university dormitory accepted a plea deal on Monday that. Former Vanderbilt football players Brandon Vandenburg, left, and Cory Batey, second from right, appear in court Monday, June 15, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. Defense attorneys for the two former Vanderbilt football players convicted in the dorm-room rape of a student asked a judge Monday to declare a mistrial, saying a juror intentionally withheld information that he was a rape victim during the jury selection process. But I remember a time in high school Brandon tried to use something, a pill of some sort, Im not sure if it was roofies, but his dad gave it to him and he told him it loosens women up. Pictured left to right: Cory Batey, JaBorian McKenzie and Brandon Vandenburg, three of the four former Vanderbilt football players who were charged with rape Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, are now in custody at Metro Jail. Deputy District Attorney Tom Thurman told jurors that the college culture argument was a "red herring" and that the athletes thought the law didn't apply to them. Legal Statement. The former receiver was released after posting $50,000 bond, according to jail records. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! He ordered both to wear GPS monitoring devices. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Ex-Vanderbilt football player gets probation in dorm gang rape, Ex-Vanderbilt player found guilty of dorm rape gets 15 years, Ex-Vanderbilt football player found guilty of rape, Lawyer argues college football player was bullied into dorm rape, Vanderbilt football gang-rape instigator gets 17 years, Vanderbilt football players in rape case released from jail. Thats what the victim said when she testifiedagainst Corey Batey. There were also friends of Vandenburg who knew of the crime. It originally took the jury just two hours to convict the former football players, who were each charged with five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery. The Best Breakup Advice from Reddit, and Experts, 5 Instagram Famous Couples Who Are Cute Relationship Goals, 4 Ways To Create Lasting College Friendships, 10 Tips on How to Survive Long-Distance Relationships, Relationship Therapy Changes the Game for Love, The View from the Window by Carina Paredes-Rivera. Weneed to talk about it with ourfriends, colleagues and peers menand womenalike. The first one involved an argument, but "no signs of. Two other players are awaiting trial. On the way to his dorm, Vandenburg allegedly enlisted the help of three of his football teammates. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. Their arraignment is set for Aug. 21, although McKenzie has already pleaded not guilty and waived his right to appear at the arraignment, The Associated Press reported. "He took photographs that he never should have taken," Vandenburg attorney Fletcher Long said. He faced a sentence of 15 to 25 years in prison, and his victim a woman he dated shortly before the attack requested the maximum punishment, according to CBS News. McKenzie testified that he did not touch the woman himself but took pictures. The attorneys at the hearing did not say what the citation was for. Mack Prioleau, Vandenburgs roommate, wasliterally in the room during the gang rape, on the top bunkbed. Their cases remain pending. Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey, ex-Vanderbilt football players, have been charged with sexual assault for an incident that occurred in 2013. Vanderbilt football is down an offensive lineman entering spring practice, as former starting guard Ben Cox medically retired, according to a program spokesperson. SHARE. Vandenburg spoke publicly for the first time about the rape in a prepared statement prior to sentencing. The incident was brought to university officials' attention after they checked the dorm's surveillance recordings regarding an unrelated matter. Prosecutors said that players took pictures of the assault and that one sent videos to his friends as it was happening. Vandenburg and Batey were on trial together, but represented by different attorneys. Changing rape culture means changing society, and we can do it, starting now. They didnt call for an ambulance. The evidence, prosecutors say, came from footage from the players' cellphones that was taken while the sexual assault was taking place. [14][13] All four men were charged with five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery. Before the decision, Vandenburg read a prepared statement, marking the first time he has spoken publicly about the assault. Five additional current players on the football team are listed in the indictment as witnesses for the prosecution if the case goes to trial, the AP reported. Vandenburgs sentence is two years shorter than co-defendant Corey Batey, who is now serving time at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution. [6][20][21] He was not seen touching the victim after he helped his teammates carry her into the dorm room. This story has been shared 117,336 times. The victim said she learned of what happened to her when detectives showed her the graphic images retrieved from the phones. Two other former players, Brandon Banks and Jaborian McKenzie, have been charged but are yet to face trial in the case. Team 3 Spring Schedule Set. Batey and Brandon Vandenburg were convicted last year, but the verdicts were tossed because a juror did not reveal he was a victim of statutory rape. I still ask that he receive the full sentence allowed under the law for orchestrating a sustained 30-minute gang rape against me, a defenseless woman who trusted him. (Metropolitan Nashville Police Department/Handout via REUTERS). Its been in the news for over four years and you, like many others, may be wondering why. The former players were indicted on multiple counts of rape and sexual battery. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. He was first taken to Nashville General Hospital for a state-mandated HIV test required for individuals charged with rape before he was booked at approximately 2:05 a.m. But thats not all. So heres everythingyou need to know aboutit. Though his sentencing was tentatively scheduled for July, Vandenburg was given his sentences of nearly two decades behind bars on Friday. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Cory Batey weeps during his sentencing hearing Friday, July 15, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Batey, a former Vanderbilt University football player, was sentenced . Getting to trial. In closing arguments, prosecutors said the football players believed they were entitled athletes who could "get away with anything.". [10][9] The victim (who is white) told the court that after Batey (who is black) raped her, he urinated on her face while saying she deserved what he was doing to her because of the color of her skin, saying what sources reported was "Thats for 400 years of slavery, you bitch. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Did you encounter any technical issues? Garland testifies before Senate panel amid ongoing special counsel probes, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, Closing arguments underway in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. All rights reserved. So naturally, thats what they all did. [12] Prioleau urged his friends to delete all the evidence that could be used against them and even helped clean the room in an attempt to remove anything that could have been traced back to the victim, like the victim's vomit. I still ask that he receive the full sentence allowed under the law for orchestrating a sustained 30-minute gang rape against me, a defenseless woman who trusted him. [12], Appeals by Batey, Vandenburg, and Banks to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals in efforts to have their convictions overturned were unsuccessful in 2019. "This is something I would never do in my right state of mind. First published on July 15, 2016 / 4:06 PM. The four former football players were dismissed from the team on June 29 and banned from campus pending a six-week investigation,The Associated Press reported. Vandenburg was taken into custody at the Nashville International Airport upon his arrival into the city on Saturday, according to a police statement. The two other players have yet to stand trial. [6][7][1][8][2][9] They took over 40 graphic photos, and took videos of the rape with the cell phones of Vandenburg, Batey, and Banks. I let everyone down and many lives were destroyed.. The jury found Banks not guilty on five other counts. So that was good. Kind Leadership in Action with Mark Shapiro, 20 Quarantine Date Ideas to Make Life Feel Normal Again, If Your Long-Distance Friendships Are in Danger, Read This Survival Guide, Heartbroken? Prosecutors say Vandenburg brought an unconscious 21-year-old woman he had been seeing back to his dorm room after a night of drinking in 2013 and the assault occurred as he took pictures. Vanderbilt University Athletics - Official Athletics Website . Legal Statement. The pair were found guilty of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery. Men dont think theres anything wrong with violating their friends and theyretoo afraid to stand up for women. Batey testified that he was so drunk he didn't remember what happened until he later saw cellphone photos and video. Ex-Vanderbilt College football player Brandon Banks sentenced to 15 years in prison. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. [17], In November 2016, after being convicted, Vandenburg was sentenced to 17 years in prison; after he gets out he will be required to be listed on the sex-offender registry for the rest of his life. Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, Closing arguments begin in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Where things stand in the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial. The most comprehensive coverage of the Vanderbilt Football on the web with highlights, scores, game summaries, schedule and rosters. Convicted rapist Brandon Vandenburg was sentenced to 17 years in prison Friday for the rape three years ago of an unconscious female student at Vanderbilt University, according to CNN affiliate WKRN. One night Brandon Vandenburg, a then-member of the Vanderbilt football team, called upon teammatesCory Batey, Jaborian Tip McKenzie and Brandon Banks to aid him in transporting anunconscious woman tohis room. I let everyone down and many lives were destroyed, he said. Batey, a former safety on the team, was arrested at his Nashville home on Friday around 3:30 p.m., taken for a blood test, and then booked into Davidson County Sheriff's Office on a $350,000 bond. Vandenburg was accused of taking the woman, whom he was dating, into a dorm room on the Nashville campus in June 2013, where three teammates sexually assaulted her. Prosecutors have said they will seek a new trial, but no trial date has yet been set. Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and Kelee Ringo . Which is why the Vanderbilt rape case still isnt over and continues to dominateheadlines four years later. Oh, please. Powered by WMT Digital. The Vanderbilt case is set to begin Monday in a Davidson County courtroom with jury selection. The woman testified that Vandenburg plied her with alcohol at a Nashville night spot and the last thing she remembers is waking up alone in a strange dorm room and feeling sick. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In other words, the Vanderbilt rape case started with a disgustingly despicable sexual assault. The judge had revoked bail after jurors rendered their verdict. Vanderbilt Rape Trial: Jury Convicts Ex-Football Players, Vanderbilt Rape Trial: Alleged Victim Says She Didn't Think She'd Been Assaulted Until She Saw Video of It, Vanderbilt Rape Trial: Defense Blames Alcohol and Campus Culture, Juror Who Helped Convict Scott Peterson Is Accused of Hiding Bias Against Him, Paving Killer's Path to Retrial, Ex-Tenn. Sheriff's Deputy Accused of Raping Girl, 14, Takes Plea Deal to Avoid Trial, Possible Prison Time, Judge Declares Mistrial in Vanderbilt Rape Case After It's Revealed That Juror Was Victim of Statutory Rape, Former Vanderbilt Football Player Convicted, for the Second Time, in Campus Rape, Tenn. Aug. 11, 2013— -- Three of the four former Vanderbilt football players who were indicted for allegedly raping an unconscious 21-year-old student in a dorm room on the Nashville, Tenn., campus have been arrested, authorities said. They face decades in prison. I was scared and uncomfortable and didnt know what to do, Prioleau said during his 2015 testimony. Three of the football players have been convicted (one as recently as June 2017) and one still awaits trial. Vandenburgs defense team tried to use that fact in his favor, arguing he should not be culpable for others actions. 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