Yesterday, 2 Steubenville, OH football stars were found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl last summer, in a case that should be a learning lesson for teens everywhere.
Steubenville’s 17-year-old former star quarterback, Trent Mays, was sentenced to at least 2 years in the state juvenile system, while 16-year-old former wide receiver Ma’lik Richmond was sentenced to at least 1 year. Both teens could end up in juvenile jail until they turn 21, at the discretion of the State Department of Youth Services.
The rape victim in the case didn’t remember much about what happened on the night of the assault, but a bevy of text messages and nude photographs of the girl while passed out was spread among the community and told the story of the assault. A YouTube video was also posted by the boys to brag about their actions, which proved to be enough to convict them.
Judge Lipps found that both boys used their fingers to penetrate the girl while she was so drunk that she was unable to give her consent for sex. In the State of Ohio, rape includes digital penetration.
The trial also exposed the behavior of all the teens involved, who wasted no time circulating photos and text messages that many in the community considered callous and cruel. Calling the evidence in the case “profane and ugly, ” the judge said this should be a cautionary lesson in how teens should conduct themselves when alcohol is present and in “how you record things on social media that are so prevalent today.”
Teenagers often make bad decisions, which is part of growing up. But when they break the law by assaulting someone, then brag about it via text messages and YouTube video admissions, there is something more disturbing here. The 2 teens were local football hero’s and believed they were above the law. What’s worse is the testimony showed that when they went to their football coach with information about the rape, he may have tried to cover it up in the interest of protecting his star players and the football program.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine intends to convene a grand jury next month to finish the investigation and determine if others should also be convicted.
This is a stark reminder that the Penn State *tragedy* is hardly the only tragedy of its kind in this nation. Sadly, this kind of madness is all too common in America…PROTECTING the institution of sports (especially football) the athletes (mostly males) and coaches, no matter how reprehensible their actions.
It goes on at ALL levels (HS, College, Pros) and it speaks Volumes about Us as a society, the messages Our kids pick up, and where We place our values.