2 former Vanderbilt football players found guilty of aggravated rape

Former Vanderbilt football players Cory Batey and Brandon Vandenburg were both found guilty on multiple charges of aggravated rape in addition to other charges, the result of an incident that occurred on campus in June 2013. A jury came to a verdict on Tuesday and found Batey and Vandenburg guilty on all charges.

The 21-year-old Batey was found guilty of five charges of aggravated rape and two charges of aggravated sexual battery. Vandenburg, 21, was charged with five counts of aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of tampering with evidence and one count of unlawful photography. Vandenburg’s charges stem from criminal responsibility for aiding Batey in committing the acts, according to authorities.

According to USA Today, aggravated rape carries a penalty of 15 to 60 years while aggravated sexual battery carries a penalty of eight to 30 years. Unlawful photography has a possible sentence of one to six years while tampering with evidence carries a three to 15 year penalty. Batey and Vandenburg will have a sentencing hearing on March 6.

Batey and Vandenburg were two of four former players charged in the incident. They were tried together while Jaborian McKenzie and Brandon Banks still await separate trials. All four players were dismissed from the Vanderbilt football team in July 2013.