Steubenville Rape Case: Trenton Mays and Ma'lik Richmond Found Guilty

Judge Thomas Lipps has found 17-year old Trenton Mays and 16-year-old Ma’lik Richmond delinquent, the juvenile equivalent to guilty — of rape on Sunday. Both Mays and Richmond were tried as juveniles. They both face the possibility of serving jail time until they are 21. After their release the two would likely have to register as sex-offenders. 

The judge heard testimony from the victim herself as well as several other witnesses over the past four days. Prosecutors had accused both Richmond and Mays of digitally penetrating the victim while she was passed out once in a car, and once in the basement of a house. Digital penetration without consent is considered rape in the state of Ohio. There were a lot of tears from both the prosecution and defense. The case divided the small town of 18,000 people. There are still many who believe the football culture there enabled the attempted cover-up by coaches and adults loyal to the team.

The defense centered their case upon whether or not the victim was too drunk to consent. The defense had called friends of the victim to the stand in an attempt to discredit the victim. They attempted to paint the 16-year old girl as a liar and someone prone to engaging in risky behaviors. 

According to CNN, Mays will be sentenced to a minimum of two years in a juvenile correctional facility. Richmond will be sentenced to a minimum of one year, but like Mays could be in detention until he is 21. Mays faced an additional charge of disseminating a photographic of a nude minor. The Department of Youth services will rule whether the two boys will be detained any longer, based upon on their behavior and rehabilitation.