2 ex-Vanderbilt players convicted in rape trial
A Nashville jury has found ex-Vanderbilt football players Cory Batey and Brandon Vandenburg guilty of raping a former student in a campus dorm room in June 2013.
Batey, 21, was found guilty on all seven counts he faced, while Vandenburg, also 21, was found guilty on all nine counts, including tampering with evidence by destruction of condoms after rape.
The 21-year-old victim was Vandenburg's girlfriend at the time. An alleged cover-up attempt by the players included co-defendants Brandon Banks and Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie, who were also charged and have pleaded not guilty.
The players reportedly took pictures and videos of the attack, which were shared with others.
Beth Fortune, the school's vice chancellor for public affairs, issued a statement, which included the following passage:
The jury has spoken. Now it is up to the court to impose an appropriate sentence on the defendants. The conduct revealed by the evidence at trial was profoundly disturbing and utterly unacceptable.
Our heart goes out to the victim. Her testimony was forceful and brave. She has received our care and support.
Batey and Vandenburg will be sentenced March 6.