Three MSU players formally charged with sexual assault

Submitted by CollegeFootball13 on

Ingham Country prosecutor has charged three unnamed Michigan State football players with sexual assault. Story coming soon.

— Dan Murphy (@DanMurphyESPN) June 5, 2017

UPDATE: A brief article from Murphy.

"I have decided to authorize sexual assault charges against the three persons whose warrants were requested by the MSU Police," prosecutor Carol Siemon said. "We are alleging that on the night of January 16, those three persons sexually assaulted a woman in an East Lansing apartment on campus."

The players have not yet been named.

UPDATE 2: Names likely to be released tomorrow:

Prosecutor's office says it doesn't release names until people are arraigned. Arraignments are expected to come tomorrow.

— Dan Murphy (@DanMurphyESPN) June 5, 2017

Blue_In_Texas

June 5th, 2017 at 5:06 PM ^

I looked on RMCB (what a godforsaken place) and there are guys blaming the alleged victim for her lack of morals for engaging in a sexual act with three guys at a time.  

I have always given MSU fans to prove me wrong, but they just consistently act like such human trash. I'd like to think if the this had been an allegation against three of our players we wouldn't be slutshaming a potential victim of gang rape. 

Blue in Paradise

June 5th, 2017 at 8:39 PM ^

I read that same thread on RCMB and the guy specifically states that he is not talking about this case and at no point does he mention whether it is possible for a rape to occur in a multiple partner scenario - that is YOUR interjection. The guy is simply stating that he doesn't believe the guys have a failing moral compass for participating in 3 : 1 action if the girl is consenting to the situation (again, not talking about this particular case). Personally I disagree with this as it shows a failing moral compass across the board and I would be very disappointed if my son partook in this type of situation even if it were consented to in writing. Thus, while I don't agree with the RCMB poster I am just making sure his point is taken in context.

esanch

June 6th, 2017 at 12:48 AM ^

1. That thread actually seems quite full of people glad to see the players gone and condemning blackwell's behavior. 2. I think you mean "victim shaming." Thats a pretty awful term you threw in there to describe an alleged rape victim. 3. You dont think people could pull quotes out of context from the grant perry thread here too? When did this place turn into stadium and main?

umbig11

June 5th, 2017 at 5:24 PM ^

The Jones/Day report does clear Dantonio and Hollis with regard to the 3 charged, but does not clear Blackwell as he declined to be interviewed. The three players also declined to be interviewed. Good advice by counsel with an ongoing criminal investigation.

chrisu

June 6th, 2017 at 7:44 AM ^

the JD report can't fully clear Dantonio or others without Blackwell being interviewed, right? I appreciate the effort put into the third party investigation, but it lacks teeth. Blackwell would be the key, but he will likely be the good soldier and remain silent. 

Zoltanrules

June 5th, 2017 at 5:26 PM ^

Wow! What a turnaround in less than two years.

If guilty I don't feel one bit of remorse for these young men who had a very high ceiling and now have pissed away their future. 

 

LKLIII

June 5th, 2017 at 6:37 PM ^

On one of the pay sites the past week, a few folks were hinting that some other big news story would break regarding PEDs use among MSU athletes.

Does anybody know if there was any truth to that rumor?  Or was that just fever-swamp stuff in anticipation of this actual real developments in the sexual assault cases?

umbig11

June 5th, 2017 at 7:02 PM ^

The details are unconfirmed and extremely sketchy. Therefore, I am not posting any of that. However, ESPN has several FOIA requests that are very specific regarding MSU and various players. One such FOIA is in fact related to Max Bullough. There are a couple more that could be very damning, but again it is all speculation at this point. MSU has fought ESPN all the way on these in the courts. ESPN will eventually win and get what they requested.

Ty Butterfield

June 5th, 2017 at 6:53 PM ^

Dantonio may may have been cleared but I have to think the Nassar situation was on his mind. More eyes were on the athletic department and this was no time to not strictly follow protocol. Without the Nassar investigation I think they may have tried to sweep this under the rug with everything else. This was a perfect storm and even Mike Dantonio knew he had better follow the rules. Hope for justice for the victim, and even if all 3 are found innocent or some of them plead out they have to all be done at Staee.

AZBlue

June 5th, 2017 at 8:15 PM ^

Legally not-guilty and Title IX findings. See Gibbons, Brendan --who wasn't ever charged but was expelled years later when the school put him under the then-new Title IX system.

When you add the high level of scrutiny with the Nasser situation, these fellows are fated to be made examples regardless of their actual guilt. If they are found not guilty they will probably go to a JuCo and eventually end up at another D1 school.

mgoblu88

June 5th, 2017 at 6:57 PM ^

was quick with his comment/scripture/thought, "... pride comes before the fall." Let's see how he addresses this ? Time to step up Coach ... I'll just say this. We are not perfect at Michigan. We've had our share of bad stuff over recent time. But I'm so pleased our future looks bright these days. Fingers crossed and prayers it stays that way! M Go Blue baby!

jbrandimore

June 5th, 2017 at 7:33 PM ^

The Ingham county prosecutors office. What are the odds that MSU would schedule the Hollis/Dantonio meeting with the trustees the exact same day the prosecutors announce charges after more than a four month wait? I'm not saying they swept this under the rug, but the appearance given by this is the prosecutors were working more for MSUs athletics department than pursuing justice in this case. Legal eagles, am I wrong on this? Do prosecutors routinely time charging decisions in the interests of technically non-involved (MSU) third parties?

UnkleBuck

June 5th, 2017 at 7:42 PM ^

And if I understand the timing correctly, the slow to happen charges will conveniently come after Grant Perry's plea deal.  Does anyone suppose the 3 MSU players may get a plea deal this fall as well?  Maybe just in time for the U-M/MSU game?  Others on here  know far more than I...just asking the questions.

maize-blue

June 5th, 2017 at 10:29 PM ^

True but I think Dantonio created a culture that allowed guys to run loose or feel like they could. That I think is squarely on his shoulders. That is just my opinion. It's all coming out now, not just in regards to these three guys. There is too much smoke coming from that program for it not to be on fire.

chrisu

June 6th, 2017 at 7:50 AM ^

Dantonio owns that. That said, I think the vote of confidence given by the board sets up Hollis. As the remainder of the criminal activities are tried and the Nassar case is adjudicated, the confidence in Hollis will take a hit and the board can then move to oust Hollis. the new AD could choose to make a judgement call with respect to Dantonio. I can see this playing out that way, regardless, I hope justice prevails.

bronxblue

June 5th, 2017 at 9:25 PM ^

I know its procedure and all, but at this point withholding names seems unnecessary. You are going to arraign these individuals, and nothing should change their identity until then.  I mean, it's basically known who they are, but I guess they might as well wait.

Double-D

June 5th, 2017 at 10:35 PM ^

The folks in Houston are pissed they are finding out about Mumphrey now two years later. Their background check turned up nothing. Payne, Appling, Mumphrey, Nassar...this shit is systemic to MSU, the police, and the courts. If it wasn't for Nassar this story,if there was one, would likely be different. I think they need to look at Simon's leadership.

DomIngerson

June 5th, 2017 at 10:48 PM ^

This isn't new...Rather Hall, Chris L Rucker, Glenn Winston nearly paralyzing a hockey player and being sent to the starting lineup after bail, Max Bullough PED Rose Bowl suspension, Colorado bar fight arrest, etc. Dantonio is an enabler. As much as I want to beat him on the field for the next decade I think a responsible human is far more important for his B1G coaching position - the welfare of female students and others at MSU should demand it.

Ali G Bomaye

June 6th, 2017 at 9:00 AM ^

I think that what the players allegedly did is horrific. But I'd prefer that the NCAA stick to regulating things at an institutional level. The Jones Day report seemed to indicate that there was no failure to control at an institutional level and no cover-up (unlike, say, PSU and Baylor), so I'm not sure why the school should be held responsible for the criminal actions of players that provide no on-field benefit.