COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- One of the two Ohio high school football players convicted this year of raping a 16-year-old girl is appealing his sex-offender classification.
A judge gave 17-year-old Ma'Lik (muh-LEEK') Richmond the state's second-toughest classification, meaning he has to register as a sex offender every six months for 20 years.
Unlike adult sex offenders, Richmond's name won't be included on publicly accessible websites, and he can request to have the classification removed later based on his rehabilitation.
The appeal was filed last week. The public defender handling it said Thursday she couldn't comment without Richmond's permission.
Richmond and co-defendant Trent Mays were convicted of raping the West Virginia girl last year after an alcohol-fueled party. The case has been furiously debated online and led to allegations of a cover-up to protect the team.
