Judge says high school locker room incident was assault, not rape

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 5:12 pm

The victim said he was digitally penetrated during the struggle.

The other players said there was no penetration and that it was all a joke.

Baby, who do we believe here?.. the victim? or the accused?

This was obviously done to humiliate the victim, (who is only 14) but imagine if it was you? you would not think this was sexual?

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 5:22 pm

Hmmm...This one's tough. If he wasn't actually "penetrated" then there should be no rape charge. The assault charge is understandable, and one thing about this story that really bothers me is Whatley saying "hazing like this has been going on for decades." So...what? That makes it ok? Hazing is being seen as a "tradition" or harmless, and it's actually a very dangerous game. This practice needs to be taken WAY more seriously. IMO.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 7:39 pm

Regardless of the truth, they will believe which ever one is a bigger asset to the team.

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 7:58 pm

whats going on, I can't see the original article/post

Der Wulf · Post by **Der Wulf** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 12:38 am

This is not hazing. This is sexual assult pure and simple. Penetration or not, the perps should be declared sexual offenders and stigmatized for life. SHEESH :-5

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:39 am

posted by der wulf

This is not hazing. This is sexual assult pure and simple. Penetration or not, the perps should be declared sexual offenders and stigmatized for life. SHEESH

Maybe not stigmatised for life kids do incredibly stupid things but sexual assault but sexual assault yes definitely if they don't treat it seriously they are condoning the behaviour. What happened anyway? sounds a bit beyond "hazing"

persephone · Post by **persephone** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 4:13 am

Maybe someones hand slipped... I need to read the full story... A link would work.

Kids mess around though.

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 5:37 am

This was my original post - which seems to have vanished

What do you think? do you agree with the judge?

~~~~~

A Maury County judge ruled yesterday that two of four Spring Hill High School football players charged with raping another player in a locker room incident were guilty of assault but not of rape.

Juvenile Court Judge George Lovell said the incident was ''not a sexual offense, as much as it was about power and control and trying to humiliate someone else.''

Prosecutors had claimed that Kelvin Burns and Tim Moore, both 16, planned to and helped carry out the rape of a 14-year-old teammate. All four players had been charged with rape and conspiracy to commit rape.

Burns and Moore stood trial on the rape charges Friday after the other two players, Chris Brown and Chris Oliver, both 17, pleaded guilty to reduced charges. Lovell said he needed the weekend to review testimony and make a decision.

Attorney Jason Whatley, representing Moore, called Lovell's verdict ''very just.'' He said the rape charges were ''inflammatory'' and didn't fit what really happened in the locker room Sept. 9.

All four players and the victim testified that the victim was grabbed and held on the floor while he kicked and tried to get away. They also said the incident was witnessed by as many as 20 other players. The victim said he was digitally penetrated during the struggle. The other players said there was no penetration and that it was all a joke.

Moore ''engaged in some horseplay of a bad nature, which did not constitute rape or even attempted rape,'' Whatley said. ''This was no different than typical kids messing around in a high school locker room. Hazing like this has been going on for decades.''

http://www.tennessean.com/local/arc...ent_ID=64600635

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 6:51 am

O.K. would you get in a shower with these guys? Adds new meaning to the word ballplayers

persephone · Post by **persephone** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:41 am

It seems that there was different charges for different boys, the first two who pleaded guilty had different charges, and one was for a sexual offense.

I'm tempted to say that the 14 year old may have thought of getting his own back here. Seeing as the guy pleaded guilty to a sexual offense I guess not.