Judge trims bail for ex-Y. players

PROVO — Bail for three former Brigham Young University football players accused of gang-rape was reduced Tuesday from $100,000 to $50,000 by 4th District Judge Steven Hansen.

And if prosecutors don't provide defense attorneys their evidence by today, bail will be reduced again, Hansen said.

On Tuesday, prosecutors turned over a box of documents and one video, which reportedly contained taped testimony. Defense attorneys are now waiting on six more videotaped statements, 12 audiocasette interviews, and a transcript from the grand jury proceedings held Dec. 3.

Utah County Attorney Kay Bryson said there are 600 to 700 pages of evidence defense attorneys will have to review.

The evidence was requested Thursday by attorney Greg Skordas, who is representing Karland Bennett, one of the accused players. Bryson said it was unrealistic to expect the state to prepare such a large amount of evidence for the defense to review in a matter of days.

"Even though the state has been investigating this case for several months, and the grand jury indicted several weeks ago, and we have formally and physically requested the police reports, they still have not all been provided," Skordas responded. "Even the judge expressed concern over the amount of time it's taking to make copies of videotapes. It's a simple process, and it's not done."

Attorneys for the three accused players argued that bail should be reduced because none of the men had criminal records, each had support from his community, and all had turned themselves in. Hansen acknowledged the severity of the allegations against them but agreed that they were not a flight risk and agreed to reduce bail.

One of the accused players, B.J. Mathis, had already posted bail as of press time. Ibrahim Rashada and Bennett were still in the Utah County Jail. A fourth player indicted in the alleged Aug. 8 rape of a 17-year-old girl, William Turner Jr., will be tried as a juvenile and has not been arrested.

The four players face two felony counts each of aggravated sexual assault, as well as charges of obstruction of justice, dealing in material harmful to a minor and furnishing alcohol to a minor. Two other players indicted were not arrested but may have to testify. They are Antwaun Harris, charged with giving false information to investigators, and Billy Skinner, charged with dealing in material harmful to a minor.

The trial for Bennett is scheduled to begin Jan. 3, but Skordas said if all the evidence is not given to him quickly for review, he will ask for a later date.