An attorney for one of the teens told a reporter on Friday that his client was just happy to put this behind us.. }); eventAction: 'view' pg.acq.push(function() { When he received offers from UTSA, Texas State, and Rice, it felt like the culmination of a years-long journey. Former Colton High School trainer accused of sexually abusing teenaged football players. As his appeal progressed through the court system, Dixon became the focus of national attention. I felt like there wasnt anyone who could relate to me. The alleged victim was taken to Memorial Herman Hospital in Houston where he is recovering. We are one of the worlds fastest growing or redistributed. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? pg.acq.push(function() { I knew that I would need to get a scholarship as my way to college, so I decided that football would be the way. District Atty. The 15-year-old girl involved in the case is suing the school district, charging that officials failed to act after Dixons earlier violations. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. A state medical examiner's report obtained by Tulsa World says that the child died from multiple blunt impact injuries and had rib fractures and bruises on her scalp. I think Jonathan has a lot of questions to answer and the way that things went about was absolutely sketchy on his part. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), The rape scandal rocked La Vernia, a lush, green town just 30 miles southeast of San Antonio, spackled with farms, historical markers, donut shops, and about a dozen churches. Afterward, several jurors protested, saying they had not intended to impose such a harsh punishment. Both young boys testified in a separate room via closed-circuit television. As The Daily Beast reported two years ago, the case began in March 2017, when 13 La Vernia High School studentsmany of them varsity athletes on the football, baseball, and basketball teamswere arrested in the alleged sexual abuse of at least 10 victims. Dickerson is being held in Tarrant County Jail as of Thursday afternoon awaiting extradition to Tulsa. They've done everything they can." All rights reserved. Gaebri is a one-in-ten billion type of girl. I dont know another girl that would stick by a man going through this.. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The dark cloud that has lingered over the small town of La Vernia, Texas, for more than two years may finally be lifting. But since it was only one child claiming he had been assaulted, his friends, family, and attorney were positive that this would be sorted. 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Leander, Texas prides itself on its proficiency in football and Leander High School for that matter had one of the best teams in the state for a few decades. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. All rights reserved. Georgias Supreme Court on Monday reversed the most serious conviction against Marcus Dixon, a high school football star who received a 10-year prison sentence for having sex with an underage girl. What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? Jail, Reopening of Greg Kelley Sex Assault Case Prompts Rally, Williamson County Reopens 2014 Child Molestation Case, California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. if(document.querySelector("#adunit")){ However, investigators noticed several bruises on the child but couldn't tell whether those bruises caused her death, Tulsa World reported. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Fox News has reached out to the victim's family and the Brazosport Independent School District. WebTavarreon Dickerson, a 22-year-old former running back at Arlington High School and Tulsa University, was arrested in Arlington on Monday and charged with child abuse murder, Sanitiza tu hogar o negocio con los mejores resultados. Updates for the victims and their families were rare. Download it here. document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ Fox News Flash top headlines for December 9. Meanwhile, Ibarras indictment lists the same dates and objects allegedly used to assault the same boys, who are identified in the documents only as juvenile #57 and juvenile #65.. I didnt know if the CCA, the Court of Criminal Appeals, or anybody else handling my case would do the wrong thing again and send me back. The June indictments allege that Norman held down a boy in Aug. 2016 and sodomized him with a cardboard rod; that he held down the same boy in September and raped him with a shampoo bottle; and that he held down another boy in November and sodomized him with a CO2 air bottle. Got a tip? Alejandro Ibarra, Dustin Norman, Colton Weidner, and Christian Brock Roberts, all now 20 years old, were formally charged with engaging in organized criminal activity in the case. None of these facts, however, were brought up at trial. eventAction: 'click_adunit' It felt like I died. Legal Statement. Learn More. Hearing that he victimized more people while I went to prison, thats what really disgusts me with the whole system and this whole deal.. Kondelis began filming Kelley at the end of April 2017. } McCarty, a booster of the Leander Lions football team, had been allowing Kelley, a friend and classmate of McCartys son Johnathan, to stay at their home in nearby Cedar Park after his mother was hospitalized with a brain tumor. WebKelley was sentenced to 25 years in prison back in 2014. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), First published on October 3, 2022 / 6:00 PM. ga('ads.send', { window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { The alleged victim At the end of a very jubilant day, Jackson warned that Dixon should get far away from Rome before starting his new life. He had been recruited by multiple colleges and was working his head off to be eligible for the scholarships that these colleges provided. When anyone is throwing that much at you, your first reaction is going to be skepticismwhich I certainly had. The newspaper reported that the child also hadbleeding of the brain. }); The story of Gregory Kelley, a high-school football star from Leander, Texas, who was wrongly accused of child molestation is the subject of a new Showtime Sports documentary series. According to multiple interviews with mothers of purported victims and claims in the lawsuit, boys who were promoted to varsity teams began showering with underwear on in hopes that it would deter their assailants. I want him to come forward and tell the whole story., He pauses. Its a responsibility and privilege I take very seriously. ga('ads.send', { In the 30 months since, most of the 13 accused boysmany of them now menhave walked free on bail during the investigation, gassing up their trucks at the local H-E-B grocery and grabbing food at Whataburger, while still living near their alleged victims. "He will live on through others because we are going to donate his organs. MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. pg.acq.push(function() { A jury in Houston found Baylor University and three former football players not responsible for an alleged sexual assault of a former student athlete in 2017. I know a couple of the kids involved he actually went to prom with this year. He had been playing safety during an away game against Cleburne High School last Thursday when he took a hit, WFAA reported. It all started six years ago when Kelley was accused of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old boy in an in-home daycare operated by Kelleys family. Grandmother with dementia died from face wound neglected by staff for days. Cedar Park Police ChiefSean Mannix released the following statement on Wednesday: "I respect todays ruling by the Court of Criminal Appeals granting Greg Kelleys application for relief. Kelley was left shaken because he knew he had never done that. The second boy initially named Johnathan as the assailant in his outcry interview, before a series of leading questions from a detective led the child to name Greg. ", "As you can see from our complaint, we believe there are several employees, coaching staff, personnel administrators at the school who failed these kids and so the school district is liable based upon the failures of its employees.". Market data provided by Factset. Kelley also learned his initial attorney, Patricia Cummings, had strange ties to the McCarty familyincluding defending one of Johnathans half-brothers of sex crimes. He was like my younger brother, but man, its like I didnt know this guy at all, says Kelley. In 2014, Kelley, a former Leander High School football player, was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison. "It took place basically everywhere within Colton High School," said the football players' attorney Brian Williams. I had a lot of questions, says Kondelis. In a sharply critical dissenting opinion, Justice Harris Hines argued that by opting for a lesser conviction, the majority chose to override state law and ignore the jurys verdict. Throughout the winter, the Joneses -- who are white -- spoke powerfully about race relations in Rome. When I got Patricia I thought, OK, were going to get the truth out there and Ill get to go back to playing football. },false) On Wednesday, the states highest criminal court overturned Kelleys conviction. Leigh Patterson told the Rome News-Tribune that she planned to file a such a motion. 1155, Col. San Juan de Guadalupe C.P. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Theres a lot to that that we dont know, offers Kelley. WebKelley, a high school footballer in Leander, Austin, was sentenced to prison for at least 25 years after he was found guilty of two counts of super aggravated sexual assault against a They were identified by the Lake Jackson Police Department as two 17-year-olds, and 18-year-old Logan Huber. Well, kind of, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles. Both boys were interviewed over a half-dozen times by various officials, prompting a child psychologist for the prosecution to testify at trial that asking a young child repeated questions about a particular event may cause them to believe that it happened. Kelley maintained his innocence and pushed for a new trial. The case drew national attention, with supporters of Dixon -- who is black -- charging he had been overzealously prosecuted because of racial tensions in his north Georgia hometown of Rome. Heres the thing: Kelley had moved out of the McCartys home on June 11, and on July 12 was many miles away from Cedar Park, helping his brother move from Hutto to a new place in South Austin. Kelley was released on bond on August 22, 2017; that December, a judge recommended Kelleys conviction be overturned due to actual innocence. gads_event = event; San Antonio-based Attorney Fidel Rodriguez, Jr., who represents one of the victims bringing legal action, said on Friday that his client is finally vindicated for having the courage to come forth and report these inhumane actions., Our client is relieved that the truth has finally surfaced and that the community can begin the healing process, said Rodriguez. his mother, Cassondra Singleton, told reporters through tears outside the hospital. His conviction The two are now husband and wife, and live together in Austinwhere Kelley is attending the University of Texas. Please enter valid email address to continue. ga('ads.send', { These past two years have been very difficult for our client, who was ostracized by his classmates at the high school and considered to be a snitch for standing up against the misplaced culture to the point that he had to transfer schools.. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); WebA Houston -area high school football player is recovering from his injuries after he was allegedly beaten by three teenagers, including at least one teammate. "Allegedly there were two that lured him outside that were supposed to be his friends. The Joshua Independent School District did not immediately respond to ABC News' requests for comment. On being sentenced. ga('ads.send', { As a child, Dixon caught Jones eye because of his athletic ability. In his outcry interview conducted at the Child Advocacy Center in Georgetown, Texas, the first boy alleged that Kelley was wearing SpongeBob Squarepants pajamas during the assaults, and that the assaults occurred in a bedroom with a couch, a crib, and trophies. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. — -- A high school in Texas is in mourning after the sudden death of a student whose family said he passed after sustaining a head injury during a football game last week. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { hitType: 'event', Gordon made excuses claiming they were closing up and leaving. But Kelley may get a renewed day in court after all. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The end result is Outcry, a five-part docuseries that aired last month on Showtime. Im still angry about the whole thing and I want them to pay for what they did, she said. WebHow Football Player Greg Kelley Is Rebuilding His Life After a Wrongful Conviction Sent Him to Prison Greg Kelley, whose story is told in the docu-series Outcry, is enjoying freedom The judge is expected in coming days to make a decision regarding whether she thinks Kelley deserves another trial, in which he could potentially be released on bond. Im so grateful because at that time, I didnt want a documentary made about meI needed one made, says Kelley. It is not the first time high school athletes have been accused of animal sacrifice. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. Our department will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners and the District Attorneys Office in keeping our community safe.". I do believe that Jonathan did it. When I was going through this, I felt like I was alone. eventAction: 'click_ads' Hamptons writ of habeas corpus contained a bunch of new potentially exonerating evidence that was not presented at trial, including: that Kelley was not living at the house and helping his brother move when the alleged assaults took place; that Johnathan owned the SpongeBob Squarepants pajamas; that Johnathans bedroom contained the couch, crib and trophies; that a cache of child pornography was found on both Johnathans cell phone and computer; that four women had accused Johnathan of drugging and raping them while Kelley was behind bars; and that two witnesses heard Johnathan confessing to sexually assaulting the boy. But Gaebri, we share the same heart. Since he was exonerated in 2019, Kelley has sued the City of Cedar Park and two former Cedar Park police officials. The 15-year-old was put on life support, but his mother made the decision to pull him off the next day -- Friday, Nov. 4 -- after doctors determined he was still unresponsive, WFAA reported. 'Outcry': Where is Greg Kelley now and how did his conviction and subsequent exoneration affect his life. Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Unlike most people that live in Leander, he didn't grow up with money. After the arrests, and several angry school board meetings, the case was taken up by the Texas Rangers and the Texas Attorney Generals Office. In addition to the criminal cases, two families filed civil lawsuits against the school district, including one in Jan. 2018 that claimed a teenage basketball player was raped more than 30 times in just five months at teammates homes, during basketball practice, in the La Vernia High School locker room, in a shower at the school, at other schools gyms, and elsewhere. A lawsuit was filed against Strauss-Gordon and the Colton Joint Unified School District by the alleged victims from San Bernardino who are now in their 30s. When he goes somewhere else, gets a new start, people will support him., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Civilians flee embattled town of Bakhmut as Ukrainian pullout looms. He was allegedly slammed into concrete and hit several times. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! On August 9, 2013, Kelley was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a four-year-old boy. The 15-year-old girl who had accused him of rape is white; Dixon was 18 at the time. Kelley was a promising young football star who dreamed of making it big in the field, one day. if(document.querySelector("#google_image_div")){ All rights reserved. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. But Fletcher said that lawmakers had not intended the child molestation law to be used in cases like Dixons, and that in fact they had acted in 1996 to lessen the penalties for sex between teenagers. But the embattled district has remained mired in scandal, even after Morenos departure. WebThe Trials of Greg Kelley: A High School Football Phenom Wrongly Convicted of Molesting a 4-Year-Old Boy MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE Courtesy of SHOWTIME Greg Kelley was on He was one of the best players beloved by fans and the coaches alike and had joined the varsity team in 2010. ga('ads.send', { Ministers and civil rights leaders rallied in support of Dixon outside the Supreme Court, and 667,000 people signed an online petition supporting him. hitType: 'event', Id rather not tell you, the officer allegedly responded. Hampton also accused Cummings and the Cedar Park police department of negligence. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. eventAction: 'load' You dont want to know.. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { ", Williams said that rather than doing something about the sexual assaults, coaches made jokes about Gordon's behavior calling it "Tiffany's special treatment. Johnathan McCarty then became a suspect after police found several pictures of naked children on his phone, associated with child pornography. football team member -- who passed away on Nov. 4, 2016, after sustaining a head injury during a football game on Nov. 3, 2016, according to his family. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The victims claim their now deceased coach Harold Strauss a legend in football circles and other staff were aware of the red flags of the sexual abuse. Seeing that he was in a difficult position, a classmate, Jonathan McCarty offered him a place to stay in his home, which was also a day-care run by McCarty's mother. After Dixon was arrested, some parents charged that school authorities had been so supportive of his athletic career that theyd overlooked a pattern of sexual behavior -- he had been suspended twice, once for exposing himself and once for allegedly touching a girl against her will. for the Advancement of Colored People, said the case had churned up long-hidden veins of racism that run through Rome. In 1995, Georgia legislators imposed tough mandatory minimum sentences on violent felonies, including aggravated child molestation, which occurs when a child under 16 is hurt during a sexual encounter with an adult. Their pleas mark the first time athletes have faced justice in the mass sexual-assault and bullying case that victimized 10 boys. At Pepperell High School, which is 94% white, the star defensive lineman moved easily among the different groups at school. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Now, shes relieved that someone is finally facing consequences, Michelle told The Daily Beast on Wednesday. Tiffany Strauss Gordon is accused of sexually abusing six teenagers decades ago. The defendants were juveniles at the time of the alleged crimes, and their names have not been publicly released, said the Texas Attorney Generals Office. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Gordon's misconduct was not a secret and the abuse allegedly lasted for years, according to the victims' lawyer. But others said the case was one of overzealous prosecution. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ "The District is committed to ensuring that law enforcement has access to all of the facts and information for their investigation.". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Despite the lack of physical evidence, the initial split jury ruled a conviction for Kelley, on two counts of super aggravated sexual assault, carrying a prison sentence with no parole. hitType: 'event', He also has his own business, Tomahawk targets, where he builds ax-throwing supplies and uses his social media platform for promoting his business. The victims claim their now deceased coach Harold Strauss a legend in football circles and other staff were aware of the red flags of the sexual abuse. Legal Statement. The appeals were dismissed. As a kid, I saw my parents financial position and their health position. Kelleys combination of size6-feet, 200 poundsand speed made him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks and anyone who dared to go over the middle. I met with Gregs family and some supporters in April of 2017, and they gave me a lot of information. Theres so much corruption and drama there.. "Its unimaginable really," the alleged victim's brother told the news station. Born to a drug-addicted mother, Dixon moved in with Ken and Peri Jones at the age of 12 and became a standout football player and straight-A student at Pepperell High School. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. They all face aggravated assault charges. Not long after his release, he was accepted to the University of Texas at Austin, and in January 2020, he married his childhood sweetheart, Gaebri Anderson. A jury last year acquitted Dixon of rape. Doctors discovered he had a blood clot and swelling in his brain, his family added. He hopes to hear about whether hes made the football team soon. It feels good to hear that because its opened a lot of peoples eyes to not be so judgmental..