NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A jury convicted two ex-Vanderbilt football players on Tuesday of raping a former student, rejecting claims that they were too drunk to know what they were doing and that a college culture of binge drinking and promiscuous sex should be blamed for the attack.
The jury deliberated for three hours before announcing that Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey were guilty of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery.
Batey was stoic, staring ahead and Vandenburg shook his head "no," appearing stunned. His father had an outburst and abruptly left the courtroom.
The victim, a 21-year-old neuroscience and economics major at the time of the June 2013 attack, cried as each guilty verdict was announced. The men face decades in prison when they are sentenced March 6
Texas jockey charged
after win at S. Houston
HOUSTON -- A Texas jockey has been suspended during a criminal inquiry into his victory in the $50,000 Richard King Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park.
Texas Racing Commission documents Tuesday indicated Roman Chapa's jockey license was suspended amid a review of the Jan. 17 race in Houston. KPRC-TV reports court records show Chapa has been charged with unlawful influence on racing. He won riding Quiet Acceleration.
Park President Andrea Young says Sam Houston Race Park is cooperating with the investigation.
An agent for Chapa didn't immediately return a message Tuesday. A phone number for the horse's owner went unanswered Tuesday.
Sports on 01/28/2015