Prosecutors: Statutory rape of juror in past no reason for mistrial in Vanderbilt rape case

Published May 03, 2016

Prosecutors have asked a Nashville judge not to declare a mistrial in the case of two former Vanderbilt football players convicted in the dorm room rape of a student.

The Tennessean (http://tnne.ws/1L47zic ) reports that prosecutors have rebutted defense attorneys' arguments that one juror intentionally did not disclose he was a statutory rape victim.

In a response unsealed Thursday by Criminal Court Judge Monte Watkins, prosecutors say the juror never considered himself a victim and made no attempts to sway other jury members who heard the Vanderbilt case.

Watkins is expected to hear defense motions on Monday for a new trial for 21-year-olds Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey. Both were convicted in January of multiple counts of aggravated rape and sexual battery for the 2013 assault of an unconscious female student.

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Information from: The Tennessean, http://www.tennessean.com

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/prosecutors-statutory-rape-of-juror-in-past-no-reason-for-mistrial-in-vanderbilt-rape-case