From Deseret News archives:
BYU punishes 4 football players
2 others are cleared of sex-assault allegations
Two freshmen were suspended for one year, another was placed on probation and the fourth was given a warning after all appeals were dropped, BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said.
Three other cases remain under review.
The Deseret Morning News first reported on Oct. 21 that BYU had decided to discipline return specialist B.J. Mathis, linebacker William Turner Jr. and defensive backs Karland Bennett and Ibrahim Rashada. However, some of the players appealed the decisions, delaying a final resolution.
Jenkins would not confirm the names or match the players with the punishments.
This is, however, the first time BYU confirmed the number of players under review by the Honor Code Office in connection with claims made by a 17-year-old Salt Lake area girl that she drank vodka with a large group of men and was sexually assaulted on Aug. 8 at the University Villa apartment of Mathis and Bennett.
The girl said she watched pornographic videos with the men and was raped by more than one after she passed out in a bedroom.
"An exhaustive Honor Code review involving nine students, all members of the BYU football team, has partially concluded," Jenkins said. "The review at this point has resulted in two suspensions, one probation and one warning."
The suspensions are for one year.
"The suspensions in this case may not be reviewed until fall 2005, meaning the earliest the students could return is winter 2006," Jenkins said.
The appeals process lasted nearly a month, an unusually long time.
"Some of the students involved appealed their decision," Jenkins said. "However, after initiating the appeal process, some of the students left the state, making it difficult to proceed. They have withdrawn their appeals, bringing closure to the review."
Calls to athletic department officials Friday night were not immediately returned.
A criminal investigation into the rape allegation continued Friday. No charges have been filed.
Provo police searched the players' apartment just west of campus on Aug. 10. They seized a washcloth, bed sheets, condoms and a pornographic movie.
Detectives turned the case over to the Utah County Attorney's Office on Aug. 31, but prosecutors sent it back for further investigation.
Police obtained a search warrant Oct. 4 to take blood samples from four players, but a 4th District Court judge sealed court documents relating to results of tests on the samples.
Late last month, prosecutors subpoenaed the records of BYU's Honor Code review. BYU officials complied with the subpoena and turned over the records, Jenkins said.
Bennett, 19, and Mathis, 18, are from Dallas.
Rashada, 18, is from Augusta, Ga. Turner, 18, is from Daly City, Calif.
E-mail: twalch@desnews.com
Comments
- Housing plan reaches 1 in 5 8:51 a.m.
- 25-year sentence in scuba slaying 8:50 a.m.
- Gunman in NY school surrenders 8:49 a.m.
- Fed: Weak economy won't spur jobs 8:48 a.m.
- Subway train stops short of woman 8:37 a.m.
- Ida weakens, heads east 8:34 a.m.
- Obama pressed into role as healer 8:14 a.m.
- FBI reassessing past look at Hasan 8:14 a.m.
- Oil below $79 as Ida weakens 8:12 a.m.
- Stocks open lower 8:11 a.m.
- Soccer MVPs know how to win
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Mitchell seeks to block witnesses
- Hope for single moms
- Attorney given report on Taser death
- Price injured; Miles has cast removed
- House passes health care bill
234 - TCU showdown has big implications
183 - Lobo suspended
182 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
118 - Thousands protest health bill
117 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Senators want food tax restored
100 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
98
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
How to annoy a liberal - work hard, be happy, have success
Feeling the sorrow of the vitims and there family, I still opose to the death...
hey why dont you write on something we already know
Worrywort, first, your comments have nothing at all to do with the article....
My prediction: Friday, November 20 Timpview vs Springville 4A...
If Korver leaves the Jazz it will be to a team that values the 3 ! If Utah...
I grew up watching and loving Sesame Street and it is fun to see my kids love...
If we believe in the goodness of the American Constitution, we believe that...
I am already not working 2 months. I was RIF from my job and not able to find...
Not surprising. Most LDS women are more selfless than the average women...


You can be the first to comment on this story.