Steubenville Rape Trial: 40 Witnesses Subpoenaed

Steubenville, OH – Approximately 40 witnesses were subpoenaed in the Steubenville rape case. The trial of two high school football players accused of raping a 16-year-old girls is expect to last at least three days. Television coverage is going to be permitted during the Ohio rape trial, but witnesses have been given the option to opt out of recordings and photographs.

Tweeting will not be allowed during the Ohio rape trial. A decision has not yet been made about live video streaming. Dozens of journalists arrived for a briefing about the Steubenville rape trial on Wednesday. The small Ohio city that was primarily only known for being Dean Martin’s hometown was thrust into the national spotlight when photos and videos related to the alleged rape went viral online.

A 12-minute video related to the alleged Steubenville rape case posted on YouTube took the story from a local to a national level. The hacker group known as Anonymous spearheaded the social media charge to push for the arrests of the popular football players. A cover-up was alleged by Anonymous, but local police officers pointed out the alleged rapists were charged within a few days of the supposed attack.

Trent Mays, 17, and Ma’Lik Richmond, 16, stand accused of raping the teenage girls after an August party. Mays allegedly raped the Steubenville girl inside a moving car. Richmond is accused of raping her in the basement of a home, the San Francisco Gate notes. Special prosecutors assigned by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine subpoenaed 28 witnesses. The defense attorney subpoenaed 12 people to the witness stand, 10TV reports.

Teenagers allegedly present at both supposed rape scenes are expected to be key components to the prosecution. Two of the three alleged eye-ball witnesses admitted they have taken pornographic photos or videos of the alleged incident. Although prosecutors reportedly told the two teenage boys they would be charged if the alleged rape images were found, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine stated the teens would not be arrested.

Do you think the football players will be convicted in the Steubenville rape case?

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