E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSTwo Ohio high-school football players accused of raping a teenage girl may not get a fair trial after a photo and video allegedly associated with the case were posted on the Internet by the computer hacking group Anonymous, a lawyer for one of the accused said on Friday.
The players, both 16 and members of the Steubenville High School football team, are charged with raping a 16-year-old fellow student last August, according to statements from their attorneys to local and national media.
Their juvenile court trial is scheduled for February in Steubenville, a city of 19,000 about 40 miles west of Pittsburgh.
The case shot to national prominence this week when Anonymous activists made public a picture allegedly of the rape victim, being carried by her wrists and ankles by two young men, and of a video that showed several other young men joking about an alleged assault.
Walter Madison, the lawyer for one of the defendants said on CNN that his client was one of the young men in the photograph, but does not appear in the video.
But the picture "is out of context," Madison said. "That young lady is not unconscious," as has been widely reported.
"A right to a fair trial for these young men has been hijacked," Madison said, adding that social media episodes such as this have become a major threat to a criminal defendant's right to a fair trial.
"It's very, very serious and fairness is essential to getting the right decision here," he said.
Stay informed with the latest headlines; sign up for our newsletter
Adam Nemann, an attorney for the other defendant, could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday. In an interview on Thursday with Columbus, Ohio, broadcaster WBNS-10TV, Nemann raised concerns about the effect the Anonymous postings could have on potential witnesses in the case.
"This media has become so astronomically ingrained on the Internet and within that society, I am concerned witnesses might not want to come forward at this point. I would be surprised now, if there weren't witnesses now who might want to start taking the Fifth Amendment," Nemann told the station.
The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution offers protection against self-incrimination in criminal proceedings.
The case has also been a challenge for local officials because of conflicts of interest. Both the local prosecutor and police have close ties to the school that the defendants attend.
Watch the Top Videos on NBCNews.com
As a result, the case is being investigated and prosecuted by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine's office.
Interviewed on CNN on Friday, DeWine said it was not unusual for his office to prosecute or investigate cases in small towns where close ties within the community caused conflicts of interest to arise.
He also voiced concern about how social media may affect the case.
"This case needs to be tried not in the media, not in social media," DeWine said.
He said Anonymous' attempt to shame the alleged attackers had actually harmed the victim.
Not only is the victim hurt by the initial crime, but "every time something goes up on the Internet, the victim is victimized again," DeWine said.
More content from NBCNews.com:
- Fiscal cliff deal includes at least $67.9 billion for special interests
- State worker accused of showing Adam Lanza's body to husband
- Court: Flipping the bird at a cop doesn't warrant arrest
- Profanity-laced YouTube video gets officer fired
- Video: ‘Pecs,’ ‘legs,' ‘frisking’: Biden works the room at photo-op
Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.
Leave a Comment:
Rape is a matter of concent, or a question of control
Lawyer-ing is a fine craft. We are all indebted to King Arthur and his new justice concept. < disclaimer.
Oh,,, the girl was NOT unconscious. Well now, let seeee....
I like how the defense lawyer found a way to use the strongest evidence against his clients to their advantage.
Hours of consultation had finally paid off... "A video you say?" The lawyers eyes lit up as he crafted the perfect scheme in his twisted little mind.
I think it's a good thing the hackers are doing. I'd like to see them post more stuff on the scumbag politicians,bankers,stockbrokers,lobbyists,and CEOs we have in this sanctimonious country of ours.
Keep up the good work!
The 'kid' in the video is Michael Nodianos......If you look at his Facebook page, he's listed as 'President' of'The Rape Crew'.....Of course the lawyers are upset.......They want to make a ton of $$$$$$. This 'adult' needs to get a dose of 'vigilante justice'........because we all know he'll recieve a 'slap on the wrist' if tried as a juvenile.
Address and phone number, Please.
Thank You!
ignorance..WOW. Whatever happened to an eye for and eye. I have a daughter. First my daughter I hope would never been in that situation dear god! I would pray that if something horrible like this did happen justice would be served in every right way as the person passing the sentence to these young piles of garbage would want them to be punished if it where there mothers,daughters or sisters where the ones that where the victims by these filthy savages. what is wron with this world today. everything gets way to complicated when realy it is simple quilty is quilty! take them out!! make the punishment fit the crime
The entire situation is sad. But if the victim were my daughter, I think I would go after the parents of the boys in a civil suite. Parents have to held accountable for negligent parenting. To me, the parents of these children would have to prove in a court of law that they have provided the developmentally appropriate supervision for these boys, if not my daughter would be due monetary damages.
The person who posted the video information on the net deserves a medal. This case is in the public eye now. But there are other similar cases that are not in the public eye, and perpetrators getting away with a immoral behavior, possibly ruining the lives of their victims.
Read about the locals in this case. This needs to be handed over to the Feds
//localleaks.blogs.ru/2013/01/01/steubenvillefiles/
I am so sick of every news agency using the word 'alleged rapists' when describing these criminals. They need to save the taxpayers the cost of a trial and take a deal. If not, I hope the witnesses feel enough remorse to tell the truth, and they spend a good part of their lives in jail. As for the rest of this crew - they ALL need an attitude adjustment, and the football program should be suspended.
OK....so, if I understand this correctly, these two dumbsh*t losers raped some poor girl in front of a crowd; another one of their "MENSA applicant" friends videotaped them bragging about it, and took pictures, and it all ended up on the internet- imagine that....and now they're saying they can't get a fair trial. I guess I'll have to remember that if I ever want to do anything wrong, I'll just make sure to have one of my friends videotape it, and put it on YouTube....then I can have my lawyer whine about my not being able to get a fair trial, and see if I can get over....
"The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution offers protection against self-incrimination in criminal proceedings."
What about the victim's rights???
Michael Nodianos, Cody Saltsman, Jake Howarth, Jordan Banks, Ryan Vodich, John Linn, Dashon Redman, Anthony Craig, Evan Westlake, Mark Cole, Malik Richmond, Trent Mays, Current principle and faculty, you would be wise not to sheild the guilty. Op Roll Red Roll. Engaged. January 1st. Expect us......Rabbit season is open ... run rabbit run ...
These 2 punks will make good whores when tey go to Prison.. Lets not forget the 2 thugs that tortured and killed a 14 year old girl just to steal her BMX bike. Th media seems to want to cover this one up. Lets no let them get away with this one.
Yes, but these idiots waved that right when they photographed and taped themselves. They had the right to remain silent but not the ability.
What is wrong with the Court that these kids are not being tried as adults? Good for whomever released the tape. Let the world know what creeps these kids are.
Seeing how society teaches guys that females are just sexual toys (and how women will die to be viewed as sexual toys) doesn't do much in the area of surprise. When females (in general) behave like little sluts. They get treated that way. And Im not saying this specific girl acted like a little slut, but the messages guy receive from females in general is that "Im the sexy slut you want and cant have". When young boys and men are ignored and allowed to "learn the hard way" they end up doing just that. I some adult shoved something up their butt then they would be "innocent little boys". Since the supposedly made errors are they not still children? Or is your hate for males so bad that you're more comfortable with sending them to the electric chair. If girls did this would you all feel so much hate? Chances are no. Your misandry is clear and present and any chance to oust a man, boy or child is taken advantage of. The media rapes females everyday. Rapes them of respect and morality. But its okay as long a big business is doing it. Right?
Misandry? That's rich, coming from someone who states females in general behave like little sluts.
The only males we want to "oust" are the ones who act like these little @!$%#s. They are not, BTW, men. Real men don't get so pissed off about being broken up with that they drug a girl, rape and sodomize her repeatedly, haul her around unconscious, and dump her still unconscious on her parents' lawn. They take a breakup is stride and move on. So do reasonable teenage boys.
And yes, this would be just as reprehensible had it been girls who did this. But it wasn't, was it?
Bollocks.
Criminals like these sociopaths commit crimes *ONLY WHEN THEY THINK THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH IT.*
As Stanton Samenow points out in 'Inside The Criminal Mind' "A criminal has a choice which can be clearly seen when they refrain from committing a crime in the presence of a Law Enforcement Officer."
Yes, I see the way society tends to objectify attractive women. But whilst I may be guilty of enjoying looking at women in revealing garb, that IS NOT IN THE SAME F***ING LEAGUE as the type of vile crime these sociopaths committed.
Only comment I have, is all involved, whether kids, parents, police, lawyers, coaches, etc., should all be put on trail for rape, violation of a humans right, sexually or other wise, and all send to jail. No, not six months, one year, LIFE, LIFE, LIFE. And I am hoping they ALL............ WILL BE RAPED IN JAIL, AND FIND OUT WHAT SUCH IS LIKE. NO EXCUSE, OR REASON FOR SUCH CRIMINALS TO BE FREE IN THIS WORLD! GET THEM OUT OF OUR SYSTEM, GOVERNMENT, SCHOOLS, CITIES, AND COUNTRY. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WITHOUT PAROLE......... OR WAY OF BEING PUT BACK IN THIS COUNTRY...................... Hard......... not really, just being Honest,,,,,,,,,,,, what if it was your sister, your mother, your wife, your sweetheart, your love, your cousin, etc. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THEN????????? YOU ALL MAKE ME SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I dont understand why evidence that proves guilt should be suppressed. If you do the crime you should do the time and big boy crimes do big boy crime in big boy jail.
And whoever recorded this should be charged with child porn
Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2256: Steubenville, Ohio High School Alleged Rape - Body Language of Sincere Contempt on the Small Screen
http://www.bodylanguagesuccess.com/2013/01/nonverbal-communication-analysis-2256.html
I am a friend of a friend of the victim. Word is she enjoyed it. Never would have been a big deal if they hadn't been ratted out.
You have a strange idea of the definition of "friend".
If these evil punks did this and it was truly rape execute the little bastrds.
Castrate them instead!
My sincere sympathy to this poor girl and her family for this injustice, trauma, and shame they are enduring.
I am a liberal, love Anonymous because they are using their power for justice! I don't believe these were miss guided young boys on a "lark" and deserve a second chance. They are scum and should be put in prison and get a go around with hardened criminals who are just waiting for these little punks.Politics have nothing to do with this disgusting crime; just daddy and his yellow belly friends protecting each other and their despicable spawn.
If it wasn't for Anonymous releasing the info and video,
this hate crime would have been covered up like hundreds of others because of the American worship of the football jock.
All too ofter,rapes are covered up in order to protect the Football heroes.If and when the jocks are brought back to earth and actually have to live by the rules the rest of us have to,the better
Those boys need to go away for a very very long time, preferably the death sentence but like that would happen.
These young jerks need defended for their actions? How can you defend a crime like this and what would their defense possibly be other than "I am an @!$%#". You say don't ruin their lives, well what about the victim? Her life is tainted forever, and that is at the very least. There is no punishment on earth that will serve justice to the victim. Wait maybe castration is a start
Let us start with a few minor changes:
1: From now on, let's hear the names of the accused
and where they live. They should not be shielded because of their 'tender age'.
2: Trials should be public and by jury.
3: Sentences should be like that of adults, minus number of years
until they hit 18.
You want the names of the accused to be public? What happens after the public harasses them and then they are found innocent? Like in the Duke case. We have due process, if found guilty, then make it public and roast them alive!!
How dare the names of the accused, caught on a video of their own making, be subjected to public scrutiny. Why, that's not fair at all! One wonders if we should also let them keep the video for their own amusement?
/sarcasm