Steubenville Rape Trial: Prosecutor outlines "degradation and humiliation" of alleged victim in opening statement

By: Julia Dahl
Topics: Daily Blotter

Defendants Trent Mays, 17, (foreground) and Ma'Lik Richmond, 16, are accused of raping a 16-year-old girl

/ Pool,AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

(CBS) - In her opening statement, the lead prosecutor in the case against two Ohio high school football players accused of raping an intoxicated 16-year-old walked the juvenile court judge through the "degradation and humiliation" suffered by the alleged victim on the night of Aug. 11, 2012.

Pictures: Steubenville Rape Trial

"This case is simple and direct," said Special Prosecutor Marianne Hemmeter, addressing Judge Thomas Lipps, who will decide the case without a jury. "It hinges on the defendant's knowledge of her substantial impairment...their exploitation of her substantial impairment."

Ma'Lik Richmond, 16, and Trent Mays, 17, are charged as juveniles with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl while she was intoxicated during a night of partying. According to the Associated Press, Mays is also charged with illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material. Both have pleaded not guilty.

"You will hear witnesses testify that she was stumbling, slurring her words, and using others to help keep her balanced," said Hemmeter.

READ: Steubenville Rape Case: How drunk is too drunk to consent to sex?

Hemmeter articulated the prosecution's timeline of the evening, asserting that Mays and Richmond held the girl's hair as she vomited on the street, assaulted her in the backseat of a car, and then took her to a party in the basement of a friend's house.

"You will hear witnesses testify that they saw Trent Mays try to put his penis in her mouth, but because her mouth wouldn't open, he abandoned that attempt," Hemmeter said.

She further stated that witnesses will testify to seeing Richmond inserting his fingers into the girl's vagina while she lay, apparently motionless, on a basement couch.

The two teens on trial sat together at the defendant's table, each wearing button-down shirts and ties and flanked on either side by their separate attorneys.

Trent Mays' attorney, Brian Duncan, gave a brief opening statement, telling the judge, "Trent Mays did not rape the young lady in question."

Richmond's attorney, Walter Madison, did not offer any opening remarks.

The judge has allowed a camera in the courtroom, but witnesses can opt not to be videotaped when testifying.

Complete coverage of the Steubenville Rape Case on Crimesider

24 Photos

Steubenville Rape Trial

View the Full Gallery »

6 Comments +

Add a Comment


by gpx21dlr March 13, 2013 9:48 PM EDT: Where are Mom & Dad in this? Where is, "My son is a good boy. He would never something like this." I haven't read any comments from any of the boys or girl parents. Is there a gag order?; Reply to this comment


by hubeeee March 13, 2013 3:51 PM EDT: These dudes should be tried as adults, and given adult sentances.
Once again, football is the most important thing is this little berg.
Far more important than this young girl or her reputation.

Also the state attorney general need to to be fired on the spot, for offering a plea deal before all the facts were in. I wish there was a way that the victim could sue him, and everyone else involved in this mess. The three dudes who videoed this and posted it online should be brought up on possession of porn by a minor. (there is a way to track the IP address) They should be sued as well, by forcing the two rapers to testify against the others.
Finally, some of these women's right's folks and their lawyers should attend this trial, to make sure their is no more BS, and more national media coverage.; Reply to this comment


by Extropico March 13, 2013 3:19 PM EDT: I am no feminist; but this behavior is reprehensible and must be harshly punished. Without sufficient decorum and respect for humanity society will unravel faster than many comprehend.; Reply to this comment

by shadrio March 13, 2013 2:43 PM EDT

Mays and Richardson are just a couple of wild kids. They'll outgrow it, take it easy on them. I recommend 10 sharp slaps on the wrist and then execute them.

Reply to this comment


by Zyphxion March 13, 2013 3:13 PM EDT: I'm really glad that comment ended up being sarcastic.


by liberty619 March 13, 2013 3:32 PM EDT: or just execute them... i read all the horrible things they did that night elsewhere. this article doesn't even begin to describe these monsters.