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Home » Assault » Vanderbilt Rape Mistrial: Anchor Down… Later

Vanderbilt Rape Mistrial: Anchor Down… Later

vandy-rape-mistrial-timebombMistrial Declared in Vanderbilt Rape Case

It’s been two years since the news broke out about those Vanderbilt University football players involved in the revolting rape of an unconscious female student – and it’s safe to assume that most of the nation has the basic scoop at this point.

The incident became something of a “call to arms” for college students across the United States to speak out about the dangers of sexual abuse. An optimistic perspective of the situation might point out that this response has generated an increased vigilance in terms of safety on campus, both in Tennessee and nationwide – but this, of course, does not excuse the young gentlemen responsible for the assault.

For people checking in on the trial, the question of “What’s become of those students?” probably sounds more like, “So how hard are those Vandy rapists being punished?”

Askers who fall under this category, if they have read the latest updates, are probably pretty disappointed.

As of Tuesday the two year trial to convict the youthful assailants has come to an abrupt pause. And despite considerable amounts of evidence pointing towards their guilt, the halt seems to have occurred in their favor.

Why? Well, it turns out the trial has transformed. Into a mistrial. In many ways this means progress has backtracked to something like square one. Todd Easter, a member of the jury, recently confessed to prior involvement in a sexual abuse incident of his own – and Judge Watkins has ruled that this admission definitely tainted the trial’s progression in terms of bias.

Maybe this was a clever stalling tactic on behalf of Vandenburg and Bateys’ defense team, or maybe just a lucky break. But what they’ve been calling it is “a big win for the justice system.” Regardless of how the mistrial came to pass, it’s definitely a welcome opportunity for the defense to regroup.

And regrouping, there certainly is. Two new faces have appeared to continue Vandenburg and Bateys’ representation: faces named Randall Reagan and Troy Bowlin. Since these guys are new to the trial, there’s likely to be a grace period during which they’ll be able to acquaint themselves with the specifics of the case. In other words, more stalling.

Mistrial Because of Sexual Abuse Of Jury Foreman

So what’s the deal with that juror, “Easter?”

Apparently, as a teenager, Easter became involved in a consensual relationship with an older man. The incident was brought to Sumner County courts in 2000. As strange as it may seem, Easter felt disinclined to mention his eighteen months of therapy that resulted from the trial, as well as the hefty prison sentence allotted to the older gentleman. Maybe he just forgot.

Whatever the reasons for Easter’s silence may have been, the result is a considerable delay for the trial and a renewed attempt to release Vandenburg and Batey from custody, where they have remained since being ruled “guilty” in January.

Potential Defenses For Rape

Tennesseans following the Vanderbilt case can reasonably be expected to forecast what may happen when the trial resumes. State law for sexual assaults related to rape are strict, but there are certain scenarios in which an accused offender might get off the hook – although, consider the evidence involved with the Vanderbilt case, it’s probably unlikely that any of the common excuses apply in this situation.

For instance, guiltlessness based on insanity isn’t likely based on the proceedings thus far. After all, Vandenburg, Batey, and the other accused assailants attend a prestigious university. “Scholars” meeting the requirements to attend Vanderbilt probably can’t reasonably be expected to have attained such a status if they exhibited an obvious lack of mental stability.

Past cases involving similar crimes for rape in Tennessee have also resolved beneficially for defendants when the accused persons are evidenced to have been mistaken for the actual offenders. However, given the video evidence and testimonies provided during the proceedings thus far, it’s pretty clear that those at trial didn’t arrive there by mistake.

Finally, there are some rape cases in which uncertainty in terms of consent between offenders and victims has led to resolutions in favor of defendants. But, since the victim in the Vanderbilt case was proved to have been unconscious at the time, it’s fairly obvious that consent isn’t a gray area here.

Well, whatever honesties or deceit have come into play in the Vandenburg/Batey case, there’s one thing that can be known without a doubt: this “break” in the trial can’t last forever. And unless some seriously convincing evidence is provided on behalf of the accused boys, it seems almost as certain that we already know how things are going to turn out.

Accused of rape or sexual violence?  Your odds of obtaining a positive outcome in your sexual assault case are much increased if you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney.  Our criminal lawyers are some of the best in Tennessee, and they’re ready and waiting to talk, to listen, and to represent you in your case.

Call (615) 259-2660

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