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The Latest: Defendant in rape case to stay in juvenile court
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Latest on a hearing for three Tennessee high school basketball players charged with raping a teammate. (all times local):
4:30 p.m.
A judge has rejected prosecutors' bid to have one of three Tennessee high school basketball players charged with raping a teammate transferred from juvenile to adult court.
Sevier County Judge Dwight Stokes cited the teen's lack of prior legal trouble as well as testimony and a psychological evaluation indicating the defendant was remorseful. Stokes also noted Tuesday studies that showed juveniles have a much better chance of rehabilitation if they aren't transferred to adult court.
Prosecutors described the teen, now 18 years old, as a leader in the ''aggressive, pre-meditated and horrific attack.''
He is one of three Ooltewah High School players facing aggravated rape charges after they allegedly assaulted a freshman teammate during a hazing incident on Dec. 22. Police say the boy required emergency surgery after they held him down and assaulted him with a pool cue at a Gatlinburg cabin while the team was participating in a holiday tournament.
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1:05 p.m.
Prosecutors want to transfer one of the three Tennessee high school basketball players charged with raping a teammate from juvenile to adult court.
Three Ooltewah high school players face aggravated rape charges. Police say the defendants assaulted a freshman teammate with a pool cue Dec. 22 in an apparent hazing incident.
All three players were charged as juveniles. One is now 18 years old, and a hearing is being held Tuesday to determine whether his case should be transferred to adult court.
Prosecutors say this defendant was a leader in the assault. They described the incident as an ''aggressive, pre-meditated and horrific attack.''
Jeff Stern, the defendant's lawyer, said the freshman's injuries were ''completely unintentional and accidental in nature'' and cited his client's lack of a juvenile record.
