James Franklin had no interest in discussing sexual assault allegations against two former members of the Penn State football team Wednesday, stepping away from the microphone when a reporter asked him about the situation.
Prosecutors have charged former players Jameel Lyons and Kaveion Keyes with felony rape and other charges stemming from an incident at an on-campus apartment this summer.
Multiple media outlets reported that the two were members of the soccer team until they were dismissed from the team on August 3.
But Franklin had no interest in dealing with the situation. when he confronted reporters after Penn State practice Wednesday.
A spokesperson for Penn State athletics read a prepared statement, referring to a statement the school released Tuesday night and noting that Franklin would not answer questions on the subject. was suggesting.
When a reporter asked when during the summer the coach knew that Lyons and Keyes would not be on the team, Franklin quickly walked away and the publicist repeated what he had said earlier in an irritated tone.
“Again, the university has already issued a statement,” he said. “There are no further comments.”
Franklin then reappeared and waited for questions about the team's next game against Wisconsin.
New details about the case emerged Wednesday with the release of charging documents.
Lyons is accused of raping a 17-year-old Penn State student on July 7 in an on-campus apartment.
He was also accused of molestation, digital penetration and forcing female students to perform oral sex. According to Center Daily Times.
Keyes has been charged with similar charges, and a police presumptive affidavit indicates that a short video recording the interaction with the accuser was found on Lyons' cell phone.
According to “The Athletic”the two denied recording anything during the alleged incident.
Lyons is also charged with indecent assault on a second intoxicated woman, with the affidavit saying neither woman consented to the sexual contact.
According to the Center Daily Times, Lyons admitted to having sex with her accuser and told police she believed it was consensual, but the woman was “likely to report the situation to police”. he admitted, the affidavit states.
Mr. Key denied having any sexual contact with the three women who were in the apartment.
The 17-year-old girl told police she saw two Penn State football players off campus and eventually left to go to an apartment complex, where the assault occurred.
Police said the alleged victim was with two other women at the time, and they were all given alcohol.
The girl told officers she tried to run away but was unable to due to the size of the two men.
She claims she was strangled and restrained.
The two were arraigned Wednesday morning, and bail was set at $500,000 unsecured for Lyons and $400,000 for Keyes.
