Vandy rape case update

[hoglady]

Let us both (a) """pray daily""" for the victim and (b) hope all complicit with this tragedy are tried for their crimes .... and the victim does avail herself of all civil remedies. 

As a fan of the Vanderbilt community, I am profoundly embarrassed and sorry.

Vandybuff - what your take on Vandenberg? Didn't appear remorseful. You think he planned it? I'm sure you've read more on this than I have.

[26.2Hog]

Uh oh. Potential problem with one of the jurors.

http://www.jrn.com/newschannel5/news/Defense-Wants-Verdict-in-Vanderbilt-Rape-Trial-Thrown-Out-290265591.html

[vandybuff]

When I think of this case, this...



....is what I think of Vandy.

Vandy the school...didn't chose these young criminals. James Franklin did.

How ironic that he went to Penn State?

I would be embarrassed too, if it was Arkansas. But really, the entire college atmosphere of binge drinking and athlete privilege.....it could be Any Campus, USA.

Let's just be glad it was professionally brought to justice.

I do not miss Mr. Franklin.  But with that said, the school certainly did have the opportunity to not admit.  And of course we cannot know the future decisions of young people.

I wish I knew a way to solve this problem before there is a 'next' young woman abused.  Sadly, 'one is too many and zero seems unreachable.'

(modification) .. and Steef - allow me to amplify, for I failed to properly read your earlier message:  I am embarrassed for the good kids and families that take pride in Vanderbilt, of which many are current or former athletes.  I care about the future of these young men and women; not any athletic program with which they might have been affiliated.  Thank you.

[vandybuff]

Vandybuff - what your take on Vandenberg? Didn't appear remorseful. You think he planned it? I'm sure you've read more on this than I have.

I honestly have probably read less than you.  And you may think me cruel or odd to say this, but here is my opinion:  if a person commits a crime (and let us hope and pray that all those convicted are truly guilty), I should pray for their soul, but I truly do not care what "act, affect, cry-scream-piss-and-moan" performance they wish to deliver .... at that time or later in their life.

Thank you for the question.

[Hey Super]

Does anyone remember when we were recruiting Brandon Vandenberg? Looks like we dodged a bullet. A big old bullet. Because he is now a convicted rapist. Womp womp.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/12239000/jury-finds-ex-vanderbilt-football-players-brandon-vandenburg-cory-batey-guilty-rape

[usf15cc]

damn i thought it was him when i seen the name

[hoglady]

He's the worst of that bunch.
A real psycho - the girl was his girlfriend. He's seen and heard on tape laughing and encouraging on the others to rape her. Pretty sure he slipped something in her drink / she was passed out and doesn't remember a thing.

[Hawgfan5]

Reading that really upset me. That is physically revolting. No one should ever defend what they did.

[hoglady]

Vandenburg's attorney will try to get him off because he didn't actually violate her himself - but that was only because he couldn't perform (if you get what I'm saying) - he tried.
If I was that girl's parents I'd just want to kill every one of them.
What kind of kids are we raising in this country?
The number of people who could have helped this girl and didn't is mind boggling.

[lechon]

Vandenburg's attorney will try to get him off because he didn't actually violate her himself - but that was only because he couldn't perform (if you get what I'm saying) - he tried.
If I was that girl's parents I'd just want to kill every one of them.
What kind of kids are we raising in this country?
The number of people who could have helped this girl and didn't is mind boggling.

Encouraging someone to rape your passed out girlfriend is a crime

[72756Hog]

Vandenburg's attorney will try to get him off because he didn't actually violate her himself - but that was only because he couldn't perform (if you get what I'm saying) - he tried.
If I was that girl's parents I'd just want to kill every one of them.
What kind of kids are we raising in this country?
The number of people who could have helped this girl and didn't is mind boggling.

His attorney won't be getting him off just because he didn't physically touch her. The jury found him guilty of all the same charges as the other guy because he was criminally responsible for it all. They also tacked on tampering of evidence to him too.

[SemperFi]

Absolutely disgusting is the only way to describe these two sacks of crap! And to the sissy's that witnessed this crime taking place, but failed to do the right thing I hope that you can sleep well at night.

[jb11]

Absolutely disgusting is the only way to describe these two sacks of crap! And to the sissy's that witnessed this crime taking place, but failed to do the right thing I hope that you can sleep well at night.

I hope they can't.

[jgphillips3]

I just hope they get put with some nice young boys in prison that show them exactly how this would feel from her perspective.

[DeltaBoy]

They all should rot in a Tenner Prison.

[Huckleberry Pig]

I just hope they get put with some nice young boys in prison that show them exactly how this would feel from her perspective.

yep.

that's my daughter and I'm ending up in prison for what I'd do to those kids.  sickening.

[oldhawg]

Hope the technicality with the jury does not cause a mistrial ---- stranger things have happened.

[KlubhouseKonnected]

Uh oh. Potential problem with one of the jurors.

http://www.jrn.com/newschannel5/news/Defense-Wants-Verdict-in-Vanderbilt-Rape-Trial-Thrown-Out-290265591.html

"Defense wants guilty verdict thrown out."

In other news: water is wet, the sky is blue, and beer is best served cold.

Just grasping at straws.

[KlubhouseKonnected]

Hope the technicality with the jury does not cause a mistrial ---- stranger things have happened.

Don't worry. That's very unlikely. Do you know what the first rule of the criminal appeal process is?

[onebadrubi]

NM

[hoglady]

Encouraging someone to rape your passed out girlfriend is a crime

Oh - I know.
But his attorney already stated that's going to be a part of his appeal.

[hoglady]

This case is just terribly upsetting.
Gang rape and sodomy, boyfriend encouraging, drugged so she wouldn't remember and other's knowing and seeing it happening without intervening.
My mind can't really wrap around all of it.
Crap it's like some Lifetime movie or something.

But again - I never understood the wuss at Penn St. that saw Sandusky raping a 10 yr old boy and did nothing to stop it.
 

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  Jan 29

Guilty verdicts don't mean end to Vandy rape case http://tnne.ws/1CAqlrX  via @tennessean #vandytrial

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  10 hours ago
A juror in the #vandytrial wrote letter to the editor in @tennessean today. Check it out: http://tnne.ws/1CAj4IR  via @tennessean

[jbcarol]

20/20 @ABC2020  ·  Jan 29
Tomorrow night at 10/9c join us for an important all new #ABC2020 hour. We'll see you then.



http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/video-shows-vanderbilt-football-player-carrying-victim-28624100

[jbcarol]

Dave Boucher @Dave_Boucher1  ·  Jan 30
Vanderbilt chancellor:"I will not be satisfied until campus sexual assaults are a thing of the past"
http://tnne.ws/1CHTceb  via @sbarchenger

[hoglady]

On 20/20 they did bring up something last night that I'd wondered about.
Vandy has cameras all over the campus that no one ever watches.

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  Jan 31

To his kids, he's The Hulk. To a rape victim, he's a hero. http://tnne.ws/1CMDoGT  via @tennessean #vandytrial #nashville #lawenforcement

[jbcarol]

Anita Wadhwani @anitawadhwani  ·  3 hours ago
In rare move, judge seals evidence from Vanderbilt rape trial http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2015/02/02/rare-move-judge-seals-evidence-vanderbilt-rape-trial/22772273/ ... via @tennessean @sbarchenger

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  4 hours ago
Cory Batey opens up to @DrPhil, Batey's attorney talks to @tennessean about Monday episode: http://tnne.ws/1CXeOTP  #vandytrial #nashville

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  4 hours ago
Cory Batey opens up to @DrPhil, Batey's attorney talks to @tennessean about Monday episode: http://tnne.ws/1CXeOTP  #vandytrial #nashville

[jbcarol]

Doug Heile ‏@DougHeile Feb 4

@sbarchenger why not interview Brandon? He didn't "black out". Maybe Fletcher wouldn't allow it? Is he still representing him officially??


Stacey BarchengerVerified account ‏@sbarchenger
.@DougHeile Yes, Fletcher Long is still representing Vandenburg. Perhaps the attorneys have different views of value of interviews?
Nashville, TN
8:48 AM - 4 Feb 2015


Doug Heile ‏@DougHeile Feb 4
@sbarchenger it just seems than Brandon would have more to 'benefit' from an interview of pre-approved softball questions- like min sentence


VUkwindsah ‏@windsoks Feb 4
@sbarchenger @DougHeile I think BVB is going down with the "no responsibility, no remorse" strategy ship.

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  15 minutes ago
.@vwc1961 @TwiDW Here it is. It's about victim's testimony during trial: http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2015/01/22/alleged-vanderbilt-rape-victim-takes-stand-thats-me/22167013/ ... via @tennessean #vandytrial

@TwiDW There were three other men in the room during the rape, one convicted (Brandon Vandenburg), two others charged/awaiting trial.

She walked past two men, one whom she dated and another she has never met. Both men, Brandon Vandenburg, 21, and Cory Batey, 20, are former Vanderbilt University football players accused of raping the woman in a Vanderbilt dorm in June 2013.

She walked into the courtroom on Thursday to tell the jury about something she does not remember. The Tennessean is not naming the woman, who is an alleged victim of sexual assault.

She often looked at the jury as she told her story during a dramatic ninth day of the trial of Vandenburg and Batey.

For about an hour and a half, she told jurors and a captivated courtroom what she does know.

The woman and her friends, other members of the Vanderbilt Commodores dance team, arrived at the Tin Roof bar about midnight June 23, 2013. She saw Vandenburg, whom she had known for a couple of weeks and dated. She was 21 at the time.

He gave her three drinks and a fourth — a blue drink — that she only sipped, she told jurors. At least one of those drinks came from a woman who several people have testified picked up the alcohol tab for Vanderbilt players.

The alleged victim said she has never been as drunk as she was that night.

She said she does not remember anything after the blue drink.

Until she woke up in a strange room about 8 a.m. the next day.

What allegedly occurred in that time has already come out in court testimony:

Vandenburg and the woman ended up in her car outside his dorm, Gillette Hall, about 2:30 a.m. She was passed out. He asked three men passing by — Batey, Brandon E. Banks and Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie — for help carrying the woman. They put her facedown on the tile floor of Vandenburg's room...

[jbcarol]

Lance Williams @LanceTennessean  ·  3 hours ago

Attorney: Cory Batey not paid for @DrPhil interview. Disappointed in interview's tone. http://tnne.ws/16OVJaf 

"After watching the hour long special produced by Dr. Phil and his staff I am completely disappointed.

In agreeing to do the sit-down interview I was promised the focus would be on awareness and advocacy. Dr. Phil failed to deliver that.

I granted the exclusive to Dr. Phil hoping to spotlight underage drinking, campus culture, peer pressure and the effects it can have on any high school or college student. I want to stress Cory did not profit from this interview. No one was paid.

I do feel the tragedies of June 23 (2013) can and will impact future students and teens, male and female. I just regret that opportunity to effect change was missed today."

[jbcarol]

Desert Sun Sports @DesertSunSports  ·  5 hours ago
Brandon Vandenburg's battery hearing in Indio postponed as he awaits sentencing in Tennessee: http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2015/02/11/brandon-vandenburg-vanderbilt-indio/23236457/ ... @sbarchenger

Brandon Vandenburg's hearing at the Indio Justice Center on charges of battery against a school employee was postponed Tuesday at the request of his attorney. Vandenburg, a Coachella Valley native and former College of the Desert football player, is in Tennessee awaiting sentencing on a Jan. 27 rape conviction.

Vandenburg and another man, Cory Batey, were convicted on four counts of aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of attempted aggravated rape for their involvement in a June 2013 rape inside a dorm room at Vanderbilt University. The two were members of the school's football team.

Vandenburg, 21, also was found guilty of unlawful photography and tampering with evidence.

He was due in court Tuesday on charges from a separate incident that occurred on Feb. 27, 2014 in Palm Desert, while he was awaiting trial in Tennessee.

On that day, according to information provided by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, Vandenburg entered the campus of Palm Desert Charter Middle School, where his younger brother attends. Vandenburg was approached by security guard Jamie Tarascio and told the officer that he was on his brother's emergency contact list. Tarascio informed Vandenburg that he would have to verify that and turned to go to the school's front office, according to a police report.

The report states that Vandenburg then grabbed Tarascio's sunglasses off his face, causing a small scratch under his left eyebrow, refused to give the glasses back and had to be forcibly escorted from the campus.

Vandenburg left the sunglasses on top of a gate as he exited the campus after he was informed police had been called. He was charged with one count of misdemeanor battery against a school employee and entered a plea of not guilty at an arraignment on Oct. 20.

His hearing in Indio is to be continued on March 23.

[jbcarol]

http://www.si.com/college-football/2015/02/09/vanderbilt-rape-case-brandon-vandenburg-cory-batey

After 19 months, two previous trial attempts, a trial that lasted 12 days, and just over three hours of jury deliberations, on Jan. 27 a Nashville jury convicted two former Vanderbilt football players on multiple counts of sexual battery and aggravated rape. On the surface, the case appears straightforward: four men, all of them Vanderbilt football players at the time, sexually assaulted a fellow student, and some of them took videos and photos of the incident on their cell phones. They tried to cover it up, got caught, and at least two of them will serve time for it. But the case was more complicated than it appears, and its effects are wide-ranging and far from over.

In the long lead-up to the trial, the local media speculation hit on the hot-button themes of sports, sex and campus politics. The case has tangentially involved the Tennessee legislature and the state supreme court, and the local media has sued the metro police department over failure to release information. James Franklin, Vanderbilt's football coach at the time of the assault, has left the school and is now the head coach at Penn State, a program whose recent history includes the horrible case of Jerry Sandusky, a former Penn State assistant who was sentenced to at least 30 years in prison on 45 counts of child sexual abuse.

During the trial of the former Vanderbilt players, at least four other student-athletes testified to seeing the unconscious woman in the dorm, and two helped move her body from the hallway into the room of one of the defendants. None of them intervened or alerted authorities. Both the defense and the prosecution brought up the culture of the school, and especially of its athletes: The defense attempted to use it to excuse the defendant's actions, while the DA portrayed them as embodiments of the problem.

It was ultimately the prosecution's take -- along with a mountain of often graphic photo and video evidence compiled during a vigorous and comprehensive investigation by the Nashville Police Department -- that convinced the jury, but both sides made claims that are concerning to the university. Vanderbilt continues to grapple with the issue of sexual assault and the scrutiny of a federal investigation. The trial for the other two football players has yet to be scheduled, and the defense for one of the men convicted in January, Brandon Vandenburg, plans to ask for a mistrial after his lawyer discovered that a juror didn't disclose that he was once the victim of a sex crime. Further complicating the case, a national news program, ABC's 20/20, recently showed a court-protected video of the night of the assault, airing evidence from the case when two of the men have yet to face trial, and accidentally showing the victim's name onscreen during their East coast broadcast.

Unlike other well-known football sexual assault cases -- Steubenville (Ohio) High in 2012 or the investigation into Jameis Winston at Florida State last year -- the Vanderbilt football team is not the center of the community in Nashville, and the players involved were not particularly prominent...

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  13 minutes ago

The case against a co-defendant in #vandytrial in court today. Miles Finley accused of tampering with evidence for deleting pics of rape.

Finley is not expected in court. He was previously offered 11 months, 29 days probation in exchange for his testimony at trial. #vandyrape

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  13 minutes ago

The case against a co-defendant in #vandytrial in court today. Miles Finley accused of tampering with evidence for deleting pics of rape.

Finley is not expected in court. He was previously offered 11 months, 29 days probation in exchange for his testimony at trial. #vandyrape

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  22 hours ago

After waiting three hours, the attorney shows up. He wants to reschedule the hearing. It will be reset for resolution in April. #vandytrial

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  Feb 24

ICYMI: Sentencing in Vanderbilt rape case delayed to April b/c scheduling issue http://tnne.ws/1EJ5XEd  via @tennessean #vandytrial

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  Feb 27
Help us @Tennessean stop sexual violence and learn how speaking up can prevent crime. It's your role: http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2015/02/25/tennessean-host-sexual-assault-prevention-training/24030129/ ... #vandytrial

[jbcarol]

Dani Wex @DaniWex  ·  2 hours ago

Sexual assualt (sic) is something we need to be talking about more instead of creating a culture of fear http://www.athleticbusiness.com/civil-actions/oregon-sexual-assault-case-shines-light-on-bigger-issue.html ... via @MichaelGaio

Ugly details have emerged regarding an alleged sexual assault at the University of Oregon and the school's handling of the lawsuit that followed.

The story begins back in March 2014. A female student at Oregon claimed she was raped by three UO basketball players: Brandon Austin, Damyean Dotson and Dominic Artis. The school allegedly knew of these allegations but took no action against the players until weeks later, after the team's season ended.

The school eventually found all three players responsible for sexual misconduct and banned them from campus for up to 10 years. The district attorney declined to prosecute the case, but said, "While there is no doubt the incidents occurred, the conflicting statements and actions by the victim make this case unprovable as a criminal case."

In January, the alleged victim sued the school and head basketball coach Dana Altman, contending the school knowingly admitted a transfer student with a previous record of sexual assault...

Then came news a few weeks ago that the university and Altman were filing a counterclaim against the alleged victim. The countersuit sought to have the original "frivolous, unreasonable" complaint dismissed and recover legal fees from either the alleged victim or her attorneys.

That countersuit has since been dismissed after public outcry. But it's not likely criticism of Oregon's handling of the case will end there.

It turns out the Oregon administration accessed the alleged rape survivor's therapy records from the university's counseling center and handed them over to its general counsel's office to help them defend against her lawsuit. In short, UO administrators were using the alleged victim's own post-rape therapy records against her...

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  · 

Sad to report, but b/c of bad weather forecast, @Tennessean postponing sexual assault prevention event: http://tnne.ws/1ERX5fC  #nashville

[jbcarol]

Anita Wadhwani @anitawadhwani  ·  22 minutes ago
Motion expected seeking transcripts in Vandy rape case http://tnne.ws/1GkPS8j  via @tennessean @sbarchenger

Attorneys are expected to file a new motion Tuesday in the Vanderbilt University rape case, asking a judge to set a deadline for the release of transcripts of the jury selection process.

Defense attorneys claim one juror was a past victim of sexual assault but did not admit that during juror screening. The attorneys say had they known, that man would not have been allowed to sit on the jury because of his potential bias. They asked the court reporter for transcripts to verify what was said.

"Because there is no firm date, we may ask the judge if he will set a deadline certainly so that everybody can get an exact idea of what was discussed in the voir dire (jury selection) process," defense attorney Worrick Robinson...

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  2 hours ago
Ex-Vandy player seeks new attorneys for rape appeal http://tnne.ws/1C6R1RX  via @tennessean #vandytrial #vandy #crime #appeal #nashville

letcher Long, an attorney who worked for Brandon Vandenburg, confirmed Wednesday he and his trial partner, John Herbison, were no longer working on the case. Vandenburg, 21, was found guilty of rape and other charges in January after a more than two-week trial. Sentencing has been set for April 24. Vandenburg faces decades in prison.

"They hired me to try that case and get a good result and I didn't," Long said. "If you show up at the Derby with a horse you think is a thoroughbred and a winner, and you finish last, you may lose confidence in that horse. If they've lost confidence in me, they need to hire somebody else."

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  12 hours ago
Confirmed: attorneys Randy Reagan and Troy Bowlin of east Tennessee hired to represent Brandon Vandenburg in appeal on #vandytrial.

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  17 hours ago
Transcripts sought for appeals in Vanderbilt rape case to be ready this month http://tnne.ws/1Cdlbmz  via @tennessean #vandytrial

Good news! @Tennessean reschedules sex assault prevention event to March 31 http://tnne.ws/1CcOMwr  #sexualassault #vandytrial #nashville

[jbcarol]

Sexual Assault Cen. @NashvilleSAC  ·  8 hours ago

Join us & @Tennessean to learn the skills so you can safely Speak Up when you see something suspicious. http://tnne.ws/1bbHbE2  @sbarchenger


I will add that last week up the beach from where Dak Prescott and teammates were beaten down, a young woman who nearly passed out in her vomit was being hovered over by a guy who had the appearance he wanted to take advantage (and proved it later).  Members of another team, who did not know her, got her out of the situation and got her to safety and eventually access to some woman-to-woman counseling.  They don't want me to recognize them for this act of heroism. Just wanted folks here to know that there are some still willing to look out for others.

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  Mar 30

UPDATE: Sentencing hearing in Vanderbilt rape trial delayed to June. http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2015/03/30/sentencing-vandy-rape-trial-delayed-vandenburg-batey/70667476/ ... via @Tennessean #vandytrial

The sentencing hearing of two former Vanderbilt University football players convicted of raping an unconscious woman in 2013 has again been pushed back.

Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey, both 21, will remain in jail until the rescheduled hearing on June 15. A sentencing set for late April was delayed to give attorneys time to review court transcripts, court officials said.

Attorneys are seeking the transcripts in part because of a possible challenge to whether one juror should have been allowed to serve in the case. Defense attorneys said they discovered the juror was a victim of sexual violence, but did not say so during jury selection. They question whether the man heard the case without bias.

A 12-person jury found Vandenburg and Batey guilty on Jan. 27 after hearing about two weeks of trial testimony. The men could face decades in prison...

[jbcarol]

 Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  13h 13 hours ago

Check out pics by @PartipiloJ of Tuesday night's 'See something, say something' event: http://www.tennessean.com/media/cinematic/gallery/70758954/see-something-say-something-encourages-bystander-intervention/ ...

TheTennessean hosted "See something, Say something" event meant to encourage bystanders to speak up and prevent sexual assault. Trainers (from left) Heather Herrmann of Tennessee Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence and Sharon Travis of Sexual Assault Center...

[jbcarol]

Stacey Barchenger @sbarchenger  ·  Apr 8

Vanderbilt rape survivor's testimony helps convict attacker http://tnne.ws/1Fzy4XP  via @tennessean @tgonzalez

On the witness stand, Taylor Walker found it more difficult than she expected to put words to what happened to her inside a Vanderbilt University parking garage one Friday night in 2012.

But Walker, who has become an outspoken advocate for sexual assault survivors since graduating from Vanderbilt, did find her words. And what she said in court this week helped convict the stranger, Tyrone Batts, 29, who ambushed, raped and robbed her on Feb. 10, 2012.

The jury of six men and six women took little more than an hour on Tuesday to convict Batts of two counts of rape and additional counts of attempted rape and robbery. At sentencing in May he'll face a minimum eight-year prison sentence and a potential for 36 years.

Now 24, Walker testified for 35 minutes while her attacker kept his head down and incessantly bounced one knee in a Davidson County courtroom.

"It was a Friday so I was very happy that the school week was over," Walker began.

But outside her red car on the seventh floor of the garage an ominous presence changed everything.

"I knew something was wrong," she said, as Batts was suddenly upon her from behind.

Shocked and scared, she said she tried to reason with him.

"It was an out-of-body experience. And I just didn't want to be there," she testified.

Walker's testimony on Monday matched closely with what she first told police — even three years later. Her case plodded through the court system in part because Batts was hospitalized and tested to determine his competency to stand trial.

"The legal system does not move quickly, and I know I'm not the only one that's happened to," Walker said after the trial. "I just kept reminding myself that I don't want to let him to be able to do this to other people.

"It can help you heal. You're seeing something through," she said.

Batts also faces multiple felony charges in other cases in what police described as similar attacks on three other women during the same weekend that he raped Walker. At the time of the parking garage cases, he was out on bond on 2011 charges of robbery and attempted rape.

In early 2014, Batts declined a plea deal, setting in motion the jury trial that required Walker to take the stand this week.

She testified that in the typically busy garage no one passed by for several minutes. Batts eventually demanded money and left her in the car.

Walker immediately called police and then went to the hospital, and DNA evidence bolstered the case against Batts.

But Walker's unequivocal identification of the man in a photo lineup — three days after the attack and months before forensic test results — proved critical, Hunter said.

"Even if we didn't have DNA testing in this case, which we do, if you believe Taylor Walker beyond all reasonable doubt, then you believe that this defendant is guilty," Hunter told jurors.

Public defenders for Batts had asked jurors to consider whether Walker could have seen him clearly during the terrifying ambush. And in her final question on the stand a defense attorney pressed her about how sure she was.

"My degree of certainty," Walker testified, "is 100 percent."