Judge Thomas Lipps announced his decision after reviewing evidence presented over four days of testimony in the case against 17-year-old Trent Mays and 16-year-old Ma’lik Richmond, who were tried as juveniles.
Mays and Richmond were tried before Lipps, a visiting judge, without a jury. The trial moved quickly — and through the weekend — to accommodate the judge’s schedule.
They face the possibility of being jailed until they are 21.
The ruling brings an end to a trial that has gained national attention for its lurid text messages, cell phone pictures and videos, and social media posts surrounding the alleged sexual abuse of the girl.
Mays and Richmond (along with their lawyers and families) were extremely emotional in the courtroom in the wake of the decision, with both offering statements apologizing to the victim.
There’s an abundance of evidence here that she was making decisions, cognitive choices…She didn’t affirmatively say no.Attorney Walter Madison • Defending Steubenville High football players Trent Mays and Ma’lik Richmond against charges of rape during a pre-trial hearing. The two high school students stand accusing of repeatedly raping an unidentified 16-year-old female student during a party last year, and are scheduled to begin trial Wednesday to face federal sexual assault charges. Madison argues that the charges were only leveled after the alleged victim’s parents found out what happened, saying the young girl was simply too embarassed to admit there was consent. source
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