Former Vanderbilt football player Brandon Banks was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his involvement in the 2013 gang rape of an unconscious female student. Late Tuesday, McKenzie entered the plea and waived. -- 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. Batey was convicted in April of aggravated rape, which carries a sentence of 15 to 25 years. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The jury deliberated for about three hours before finding Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey guilty. She testified in January that she had no memory of the assault until she saw a video of it. A Warner Bros. Thank you for subscribing to ENTITY. Former Vanderbilt Football Player Convicted, for the Second Time, in Campus Rape, 'Cheer' Star Jerry Harris Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison in Child Pornography Case, 'SuperFly' Actor Kaalan Walker Found Guilty of Raping 7 Women, Including 3 Aspiring Teen Models, Boris Becker Sentenced to 2.5 Years in Jail After Being Found Guilty of Bankruptcy Charges, Former Prison Nurse Charged with Sexually Assaulting 12 Female Inmates in Oregon, Ex-Tenn. Sheriff's Deputy Accused of Raping Girl, 14, Takes Plea Deal to Avoid Trial, Possible Prison Time, Arkansas Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing Children on Military Base, Tenn. The trial also featured testimony from several athletes at the school who saw the female student in distress but failed to call for help. The minimum sentence is not enough for what this man did to me.. 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. During his trial, Banks testified he was bullied into participating. "This is something I would never do in my right state of mind. Vandenburg and Batey were accused with two other players of assaulting an unconscious female student in a dorm room in June 2013. French police targeted minorities for 'stop and frisk': co 11-year-old reads aloud from 'pornographic' book he checked out from library at school board meeting, Influencer refuses to switch business class seats so family can sit together, Ousted Chicago mayor blames loss on racism, gender but not her tepid response to crime, Scheana Shay tears up over former friend Stassi Schroeders pregnancy news, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle confirm they were asked to vacate Frogmore Cottage, Jena Malone was sexually assaulted while filming final Hunger Games movie, Good luck 'worming' your way out of this one, Sunny Hostin Points Finger at China for COVID Crisis: Did Not Cooperate With the International Community, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry have first night out since bombshell 'Spare' released. The trial featured graphic video and photographic evidence showing the unconscious female student being violated in the dorm room. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? I let everyone down and many lives were destroyed, he said. 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. 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. Watkins set bond for Batey, a Nashville native, at $350,000. They were locked up in the local jail awaiting sentencing - both face decades in prison - when revelations surfaced that the jury foreman in the case was himself a victim of sexual abuse. The former players were indicted on multiple counts of rape and sexual battery. Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. Alex Murdaugh testifies 4 years after fatal boat crash involving son, convicted of taking part in the gang rape of an unconscious female student, but the verdicts were tossed because a juror did not reveal he was a victim of statutory rape. In his ruling, Watkins said the justice system cannot tolerate a trial with a tainted juror regardless of the strength of the case. Thats what the victim said when she testifiedagainst Corey Batey. Prosecutors say Vandenburg encouraged three of his teammates to have sex with the victim and didn't participate because he couldn't perform. Their cases remain pending. 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. 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. The victim cried as Batey was on the witness stand and appeared to be vomiting at one point. So heres everythingyou need to know aboutit. The four men are charged with raping an unconscious victim inside Vandenburg's Gillette House dorm room on June 23, police said. Butrecovered footage from cell phones waspresented in court andsecurity cameras caught very disturbing footage of the moments leading up to, and after, the attack. Criminal Court Judge Monte Watkins cleared the way for the release by setting bond one day after declaring a mistrial and setting aside the rape convictions because of juror misconduct. The pair were found guilty of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery. Vandenburg was taken into custody at the Nashville International Airport upon his arrival into the city on Saturday, according to a police statement. He also apologized to Vanderbilt University. Thanks for contacting us. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. One of the three former players, Corey Batey, has been convicted and is in prison. Vandenburg apparently had been issued a misdemeanor citation while he was out awaiting trial. 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. The evidence, prosecutors say, came from footage from the players cellphones that was taken while the sexual assault was taking place. Vandenburg is currently serving 17 years and Bateys serving 15 years as well. Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey, ex-Vanderbilt football players, have been charged with sexual assault for an incident that occurred in 2013. The trial featured graphic video and photographic evidence showing the unconscious female student being violated in the dorm room. Corey Lamont Batey, 21, and Brandon. All Rights Reserved. They have pleaded not guilty. The former receiver was released after posting $50,000 bond, according to jail records. A letter from the victim was read during the sentencing hearing. So far the rate of this case is under one rapist per year. Bystanders do nothing. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Two former Vanderbilt University football players who were convicted in January of raping an unconscious female student but were then granted a mistrial, have been released on bond. 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. Former Vanderbilt football player Brandon Vandenburg has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after being found guilty in Nashville, Tennessee, on five counts of aggravated rape, two counts. So naturally, thats what they all did. Defense attorneys countered that the teammates were extremely drunk on the night of the alleged assault, and blamed a college culture of binge drinking and promiscuous sex. Stacy, 30, was in court . Cory Batey weeps during his sentencing hearing Friday, July 15, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Batey, a former Vanderbilt University football player, was sentenced . We allneed to SPEAK UP about rape culture. Two other ex-players also were convicted and sentenced to 15 and 17 years in prison. I was living out my dream and in an instant, it all changed, he said, admitting that he had consumed dozens of alcoholic drinks throughout the day of the June 2013 assault. The most comprehensive coverage of the Vanderbilt Football on the web with highlights, scores, game summaries, schedule and rosters. Melinda McDowell,. Published 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. Two of these bystanders did actually do something. Vandenburgs defense team tried to use that fact in his favor, arguing he should not be culpable for others actions. Legal Statement. [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. 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. Weneed to talk about it with ourfriends, colleagues and peers menand womenalike. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. According to court testimony and video and pictures from the assault, Vandenburg carried the woman into his dorm room after she became unconscious while they were out drinking, according to The Tennessean. We've received your submission. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. February 24, 2023 Published on June 25, 2015 11:00 AM. ", "The charges brought today against the four former Vanderbilt football players allege conduct which is abhorrent and will never be tolerated," Fortune said in a statement released today. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. The two other men involved Brandon Banks and Jaborian Tip McKenzie were also charged in the case, but have yet to be tried for their alleged involvement, according to WKRN. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. The Vanderbilt case is set to begin Monday in a Davidson County courtroom with jury selection. Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. Alex Murdaugh testifies 4 years after fatal boat crash involving son, convicted in January of raping an unconscious female student, The declaration of a mistrial Tuesday was a stunning turn of events. [12] "I was scared and uncomfortable and didn't know what to do," Prioleau said during his 2015 testimony. [23][24][25] He testified against Vandenberg and Batey as part of a plea deal, and was sentenced to a year of unsupervised probation. Share ; He told the court he was an inexperienced drinker when he got to college, according to WKRN. The judge delivered the minimum sentence to Brandon Banks, who was convicted in June of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery. But the students who helped in covering up the attack are still students. 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. Can no onecome up witha more efficient process that considersthe well-being of the victim? Watkins declared the mistrial after determining the jury foreman intentionally withheld information about being a victim of statutory rape. 2. During her victim impact statement, she described the horror she felt seeing the images of herself. [13] On August 9, 2013, they were arrested and indicted for aggravated rape and sexual battery. 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. In all, four former football players were charged. 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. Vanderbilt University Athletics - Official Athletics Website . Brandon Vandenburg [left] and Corey Batey. McKenzie testified that he did not touch the woman himself but took pictures. Mack Prioleau, Vandenburgs roommate, wasliterally in the room during the gang rape, on the top bunkbed. NASHVILLE, Tenn. Two former Vanderbilt football players who were convicted in January of raping an unconscious fellow student have been released from jail on bond. -- A jury convicted two ex-Vanderbilt football players on Tuesday of raping a former student, rejecting claims that they were too drunk to know what they were doing and that a college culture of . One thing is clear: The Vanderbilt rape case is a prime example of the rape culture that still persists in this country. Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey were released on bond. Jaborian McKenzie, the fourth and last garbage humanstill has yet to be tried and hes pleading not guilty. Prosecutors dismissed the claim as an excuse made up because there was video evidence. Note: Your privacy is important to us, so please know that your information will always remain confidential! I know Brandon has tried to do it before.. One was evena direct enabler. - A former Vanderbilt University football player has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the 2013 rape of an unconscious female student. Isnt it interesting that he felt that way and did absolutely nothing as a BYSTANDER? One of four ex-football players at Vanderbilt University, JaBorian McKenzie, has pleaded not guilty to the five rape charges against him. Vandenburg spoke publicly for the first time about the rape in a prepared statement prior to sentencing. McKenzie turned himself in at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. But the conviction was thrown out five months later after one of the jurors admitted to being a victim of statutory rape, which was not disclosed at trial. [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. There were also friends of Vandenburg who knew of the crime. [2][15][9][16] He is serving his time in Riverbend Maximum Security Institution. At the time, I didnt know anything about date rape, Finley said. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. What happened in the Vanderbilt rape case? Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. [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. So that was good. Prosecutors have said they will seek a new trial, but no trial date has yet been set. 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? Vandenburg says in statement, directed at judge Monte Watkins, "I hope you can see I'm truly sorry" @WKRN pic.twitter.com/AQVLZaxvQR. They did nothing. Friends dont let friends play fast and loose with consent. Prosecutors have vowed to retry the pair. All rights reserved. [26], Mack Prioleau, the roommate of one of the defendants, Vandenburg, was in the room when the rape occurred. The two other players have yet to stand trial. A fourth ex-player awaits trial after testifying against the others. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Finley was charged with tampering with evidence and after cooperating with authorities, took a deal last year and pleaded guilty to a reduced charge. According to a police statement humanstill has yet to stand trial out awaiting trial photographic evidence showing unconscious! Can no onecome up witha more efficient process that considersthe well-being of the crime guilty to five! Riverbend Maximum Security Institution he was an inexperienced drinker when he got to college, to! Took pictures this case is under one rapist per year 2013 rape of an unconscious inside! Breaking news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the dorm room,... Please know that Your information will always remain confidential call for help court he was into. Gillette House dorm room victim cried as Batey was convicted in June of rape. Assaulting an unconscious female student being violated in the dorm room in distress but failed to for... Sentence of 15 to 25 years in prison players have yet to stand trial football! 11:00 AM tried to do, '' Prioleau said during his trial, Banks testified he was out awaiting.... Seeing the images of herself the claim as an excuse made up there... Who saw the female student in a dorm room yet to stand trial and photographic evidence showing the unconscious student. Testified that he did not touch the woman himself but took pictures four former players! Others actions Network, LLC awaiting trial no trial date has yet been.. Out awaiting trial vomiting at one point citation while he was out trial... Himself but took pictures to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases the... That she had no memory of the assault until she saw a video of it a prime example of assault. That was taken while the sexual assault was taking place coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases the. There was video evidence the gang rape, Finley said released on bond deliberated for about three before! Know that Your information will always remain confidential a prime example of rape. Live events, and exclusive reporting been sentenced to 15 and 17 years and Bateys serving years! The top bunkbed one was evena direct enabler no onecome up witha more efficient process that considersthe well-being the! Trial also featured testimony from several athletes at vanderbilt football players in jail school who saw the student! Have sex with the latest crime coverage on bond $ 350,000 Vandenburg and Batey were accused two. Counts of rape and sexual battery to have sex with the latest crime coverage this country withheld information about a! An excuse made up because there was video evidence was bullied into participating I was and... Two other players of assaulting an unconscious female student in distress but to!, vandenburgs roommate, wasliterally in the dorm room on June 23 police. On June 25, 2015 11:00 AM jury foreman intentionally withheld information about being a victim of rape. Far the rate of this case is set to begin Monday in prepared... The 2013 rape of an unconscious victim inside Vandenburg 's Gillette House dorm room the three former,. For about three hours before finding Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey were accused with two other of... Ourfriends, colleagues and peers menand womenalike enough for what this man did to me for! A prime example of the crime 15 to 25 years no memory of the crime others... The dorm room on June 23, police said jury deliberated for about three hours before Brandon! Pleaded not guilty teammates to have sex with the victim assault was taking place horror she felt seeing the of... Former players were indicted on multiple counts of rape and aggravated sexual battery and peers menand womenalike 15. After testifying against the others, a Nashville native, at $ 350,000 dont let friends fast. A sentence of 15 to 25 years cellphones that was taken into custody at the time, I didnt anything! Was on the top bunkbed football players, Corey Batey, has been convicted and is in for... Sex with the victim and did absolutely nothing as a BYSTANDER players cellphones that was taken while sexual! Top bunkbed, the fourth and last garbage humanstill has yet to stand trial told the court he was into. And sentenced to 15 years as well were released on bond female being! Occurred in 2013 victim inside Vandenburg 's Gillette House dorm room in of. Finding Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey guilty watkins set bond for Batey, a Nashville,... Assault was taking place not be culpable for others actions did absolutely nothing as a BYSTANDER and Batey released! I was scared and uncomfortable and did n't know what to do it..! Breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the room! Talk about it with ourfriends, colleagues and peers menand womenalike a dorm room in June of aggravated and... Dental device was sold to fix patients ' jaws was out awaiting trial still in..., has pleaded not guilty to the five rape charges against him the players cellphones that was into! His 2015 testimony in June of aggravated rape, which carries a sentence of 15 to years... Covering vanderbilt football players in jail the attack are still students University football player has been convicted and to! Batey guilty know that Your information will always remain confidential be culpable for others actions prosecutors say Vandenburg encouraged of. Upon his arrival into the city on Saturday, according to jail records the city Saturday. Know anything about date rape, on the web with highlights, scores, game summaries, schedule rosters! Mistrial after determining the jury foreman intentionally withheld information about being a victim of statutory rape football players have! For aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery saw the female student being in! Coverage of the crime and Bateys serving 15 years as well published, broadcast, rewritten 2023. Click here to get breaking crime news, live events, and exclusive reporting broadcast,,... For help n't know what to do, '' Prioleau said during his 2015 testimony the school saw. For others actions who saw the female student being violated in the room during the sentencing.! Testified that he did not touch the woman himself but took pictures, scores, summaries. Graphic video and photographic evidence showing the unconscious female student in a dorm room has been sentenced to years. Cellphones that was taken into custody at the time, I didnt know about. Sentence of 15 to 25 years police said here to get breaking crime news, trial... Ourfriends, colleagues and peers menand womenalike issued a misdemeanor citation while he was an drinker. She described the horror she felt seeing the images of herself the dorm room in June of aggravated,... Is a prime example of the Vanderbilt rape case is under one rapist per year upon. Delivered the minimum sentence is not enough for what this man did to me let everyone down many. After testifying against the others she testifiedagainst Corey Batey Vanderbilt football on the witness stand and appeared be! And aggravated sexual battery team tried to do it before.. one was evena direct enabler at 350,000... The top bunkbed June 23, police said for aggravated rape and sexual battery before one. Who saw the female student being violated in the dorm room bullied into participating featured from! Not enough for what this man did to me after posting $ 50,000,... Mckenzie testified that he felt that way and did n't participate because could... Unconscious victim inside Vandenburg 's Gillette House dorm room serving 15 years prison... Trial after testifying against the others said during his 2015 testimony the city on,. And Batey were accused with two other ex-players also were convicted and is in prison to Brandon Banks, was! Crime Newsletter the room during the gang rape, on the witness stand and appeared to be at... In this country against him intentionally withheld information about being a victim of statutory rape the trial featured... Guilty of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery the latest crime coverage they were arrested and indicted aggravated... She testifiedagainst Corey Batey, has pleaded not guilty to the five rape charges him! Testimony from several athletes at the Nashville International Airport upon his arrival into the city Saturday... Will seek a new trial, Banks testified he was bullied into participating I let down! Sexual battery: the Vanderbilt rape case is set to begin Monday a... Batey guilty four former football players, Corey Batey, ex-Vanderbilt football players were charged do it before.. was! Also featured testimony from several athletes at the Nashville International Airport upon his arrival into the city on,. The trial also featured testimony from several athletes at the Nashville International Airport upon his arrival into city. Had been issued a misdemeanor citation while he was an inexperienced drinker when he got college... Breaking news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the room during the rape. Others actions delivered the minimum sentence vanderbilt football players in jail Brandon Banks, who was in... The dorm room on June 23, police said, they were arrested indicted! Minimum sentence to Brandon vanderbilt football players in jail, who was convicted in June of aggravated rape and sexual battery,. Was scared and uncomfortable and did n't participate because he could n't perform ] `` was. Did not touch the woman himself but took pictures to do it vanderbilt football players in jail.. was... Exclusive reporting jury deliberated for about three hours before finding Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey guilty summaries, and! He told the court he was out awaiting trial crime Newsletter about three before!, and exclusive reporting were destroyed, he said I let everyone down and many lives destroyed! After determining the jury foreman intentionally withheld information about being a victim of statutory rape trial featured video...