The Ohio State football players, their fans, and their families have gone through a troubling period since players Amir Riech and Jahsen Wint was accused of rape and kidnapping.
In 2019, the duo was suspended from the football program for the charges brought by a 19-year-old woman who claimed she was raped by these two in their shared flat. The following year, she filed a lawsuit on two counts of rape and kidnapping.
After a lengthy and extensive investigation, the court delivered its ruling on the verdict provided by the juries of court on Tuesday.
What is the verdict of the jury regarding two ex-OSU players accused of rape?
The jury took two sessions of deliberation after the defendants showed their evidence to the court and reached their verdict on Thursday. The jury found the defendants not guilty on all of the charges brought by the victims during her sophomore year.
Riep’s attorney, Dan Sabol, and Wint’s attorney, Sam Shamansky, fought tooth and nail for their client’s innocence and proved it by showing multiple confession video clips after the sexual encounter that narrated their interaction was consensual.
However, it appeared the victim regretted the act of excitement later, and her father insisted she bring charges against the Buckeyes duo.
What did the ex-OSU players and their attorneys say after the verdict?
After getting acquitted, Amir Riep and Jahsen Wint expressed their raw emotions by embracing each other in court. Riep, who has two semesters left in his sports management degree, expressed relief and gratitude. “And you grow through what you go through.”
Wint also faced difficulties in his academic life; the university withheld his human development degree. “I’m going to get my life back on track, get my degree, and keep on being a law-abiding citizen,” he said.
Their attorneys also felt grateful to the juries for uncovering the truth and giving the young gentlemen’s lives back. “The jury did a fantastic job discerning the truth and contrasting what Amir said and what his accuser said,” Sabol said. “It took a long time, but the system worked.”
“He’s had his life turned on end by a false accusation with evidence that was so lacking in credibility that charges should never be brought,” Shamansky said on behalf of his client.
The 24-year-old pair has been through a trying time in their lives and learned a valuable lesson about not doing anything in the midst of the excitement and adrenaline rush. However, they have to sort out their priorities in life now to get back on track.
