On Tuesday, a grand jury began further investigations into the Steubenville rape case, in which two high school football players were found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl at a party. The two were sentenced to one and two year terms in the state juvenile detention center.
Authorities are now searching for evidence that proves other adults, such as coaches, administrators, and parents, knew about the incident but failed to report it.
Mike McVey, Steubenville High School Superintendent, and football coach, Reno Saccoccia, have been interviewed by investigators. Police have also spoken to the owners of the home in which the party was thrown.
The Steubenville school board issued a statement saying, “We have been from the beginning and are continuing to fully cooperate with the authorities in this investigation.”
Photos, videos, and text messages of the party events have been key to the case. The National Organization of Women is pushing for authorities to charge bystanders like Michael Nodianos, who was seen in one of the videos, with failure to report a crime.
“What I promised the Steubenville community was we would get this over as quick as we could, but more importantly, we would do it right,” said Attorney General Mike DeWine.
DeWine has stated that the jury will convene three to four days a week to hear from witnesses.
More information to come.
