Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior Author
Penn State coach James Franklin declined to reply questions from reporters Wednesday after two of his former gamers have been accused by police of raping a 17-year-old woman of their residence on July 7.
Former Nittany Lions defensive finish Jameial Lyons, 19, is dealing with felony expenses of rape, aggravated assault with out consent, voluntary deviate sexual activity and misdemeanor expenses of indecent assault with out consent and invasion of privateness with out consent.
Former Penn State linebacker Kaveion Keys, 19, is charged with felony rape, aggravated assault with out consent and sexual assault and misdemeanor indecent assault with out consent.
Lyons was launched on $500,000 bond by Centre County Magisterial District Decide Donald M. Hahn throughout an arraignment Wednesday; Keys was launched on $400,000 bond.
A preliminary listening to is scheduled on Oct. 30.
Following Wednesday’s follow, a reporter began to ask Frankin concerning the prison case. Franklin walked away from the microphone, and a college spokesperson learn a ready assertion that mentioned: “Relating to the 2 former Penn State soccer gamers, we launched an announcement yesterday and our program and athletics division can have no additional remark.”
When one other reporter tried to ask Franklin about dismissing the gamers, he walked away once more.
“Once more, guys, the college already launched an announcement,” the spokesman mentioned.
The Centre Each day Instances posted to its social media accounts a video of the alternate between Franklin and reporters.
James Franklin refused to touch upon rape expenses towards former gamers. My story, with video (from @JacksonRanger1) of when Franklin was requested: pic.twitter.com/JUMZWhMbOR
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) October 24, 2024
In accordance with a police prison grievance and affidavit of possible trigger obtained by ESPN, the 17-year-old feminine pupil advised police she met Keys and Lyons at an off-campus residence on July 6 and went to their residence early the subsequent morning.
The lady advised police that Keys and Lyons supplied her and two different women with alcohol. Whereas the sufferer watched TV with the gamers in Keys’ bed room, in keeping with the affidavit, the gamers smoked marijuana.
The lady advised police that whereas she was making an attempt to go to sleep, the gamers approached her from either side and touched her with out consent. She advised police that she was pressured to carry out oral intercourse on each males.
She mentioned the gamers raped her and he or she was unable to cease them due to their measurement. The sufferer advised police that her arms have been restrained and that the gamers grabbed her by the neck and choked her on a number of events. The sufferer mentioned she could not breathe.
The lady advised police that she noticed a digital camera flash, which she believed was from one of many gamers recording a video of the incident.
In accordance with the affidavit, the sufferer “bodily resisted and managed to get away. She screamed and swore at Keys and Lyons.” The sufferer tried to get up two different girls within the residence.
Lyons “grabbed the sufferer, carried her outdoors, and dropped her on the bottom,” in keeping with police.
Police alleged that Lyons advised the girl, “B—h, you are not coming again right here ever and keep the f— out of our life.”
One other girl advised police that after waking up within the residence to vomit, Lyons led her to his bed room. She advised police that she awoke with out her pants on, whereas Lyons was sexually assaulting her.
On July 8, Penn State College Police served a search warrant on the residence and interviewed Lyons and Keys. Initially, Keys advised police that there have been girls of their residence on July 7, however denied understanding the 17-year-old sufferer or having intercourse with any of the ladies.
Lyons advised police that he had intercourse with the 17-year-old girl and that Keys participated within the sexual encounter. The affidavit mentioned Lyons “demonstrated the style during which he held the sufferer’s arms and grabbed her by the neck.”
“Lyons expressed the idea the contact was consensual; nonetheless, Lyons reported having an consciousness the sufferer would probably report the scenario to the police,” the affidavit mentioned.
Police reported {that a} “brief video documenting indecent contact” with the 17-year-old sufferer was positioned on the digital camera roll of Keys’ cellular phone.
Penn State suspended Lyons and Keys from the soccer staff in August.
“We’re conscious of the intense expenses towards Mr. Keys and Mr. Lyons, who’re not enrolled on the College,” a college spokesperson mentioned in an announcement. “The security of our group is our high precedence, and Penn State takes any report of sexual assault or misconduct very significantly and investigates any and all experiences.”
Lyons, from Philadelphia, performed in eight video games as a freshman at Penn State in 2023. Keys, from Varina, Virginia, didn’t play and redshirted final season.
