Franklin refuses discuss PSU rape charges

• Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterOct 24, 2024

  , 11:24 AM ET Close Senior college football author

• Author of seven books on college football
• Graduate of the University of Georgia

Penn State coach James Franklin decreased to address questions from reporters Wednesday after two of his previous players were implicated by cops of raping a 17-year-old woman in their house on July 7.

Previous Nittany Lions protective end Jameial Lyons, 19, is charged with felony rape, intensified attack without authorization, voluntary deviate sexual intercourse and misdemeanor indecent assault without consent and intrusion of personal privacy without consent.Former Penn State linebacker Kaveion Keys, 19, is charged with felony rape, worsened assault without authorization and sexual assault and misdemeanor indecent attack without consent.Lyons was released on$500,000 bond by Centre County Magisterial District Judge Donald M. Hahn during an arraignment Wednesday; Keys was launched on$400,000 bond.An initial hearing is arranged for Oct. 30. After Wednesday’s practice, a press reporter began to ask Franklin about the criminal case. Franklin walked away from the microphone, and a university representative checked out a ready statement:”Concerning the 2 previous Penn State football players, we released a declaration the other day and our program and sports department will have no additional comment.”When another press reporter tried to ask Franklin about dismissing the players, he walked away again.”Again, guys, the university currently released a statement,”the representative said.The Centre Daily Times published to its social networks accounts a video of the exchange between Franklin and reporters.James Franklin refused to comment on rape charges against previous players. My story, with video(from @JacksonRanger1)

of when Franklin was asked: https://t.co/9pbLokyZag pic.twitter.com/JUMZWhMbOR!.?.!— Jon Sauber( @JonSauber)October 24, 2024 According to a police criminal problem and affidavit of possible cause gotten by ESPN, the 17-year-old student told

cops she satisfied Keys and Lyons at an off-campus home on July 6 and

went to their house early the next morning.The lady informed authorities that Keys and Lyons offered her and 2 other women with alcohol. While she saw television with the players in Keys’bedroom, according to the affidavit, the players smoked marijuana.The lady told authorities that while she

was attempting to go to sleep, the players approached her from both sides and touched her without permission. She told cops that both guys forced her to have oral sex with them.She stated the players raped her and she was

unable to stop them due to the fact that of their size. She told cops that her arms were restrained which the players got her by the neck and choked her on numerous celebrations. She said she couldn’t breathe.The girl told cops that she saw a video camera flash

, which she believed was from among the players taping a video.According to the affidavit, she “physically resisted and handled to get away. She shouted and swore at Keys and Lyons.”She attempted to awaken two other women in the apartment.Lyons”grabbed the victim, carried her outside

, and dropped her on the ground,”according to police.Police declared that Lyons informed the woman, “B–, you’re not returning here ever and stay the f

— out of our life.” Another woman told authorities that after getting up in the apartment or condo to vomit, Lyons led her to his bedroom. She informed police that she got up without her pants on, while Lyons was sexually assaulting her.On July 8, Penn State University Police served a search warrant at the apartment and interviewed Lyons and Keys. At first, Keys informed cops that there were ladies in their apartment on July 7, however rejected

knowing the 17-year-old woman or having sex with any of the women.Lyons told police that he made love with the 17-year-old woman which Keys took part in the sexual encounter. The affidavit said Lyons “demonstrated the way in which he held the woman’s arms and grabbed her by the neck. “”Lyons expressed the belief the contact was consensual; nevertheless, Lyons reported having an awareness the victim would likely report the situation to the authorities,”the affidavit said.Police reported that a”short video recording indecent contact”with the 17-year-old was found on the video camera roll of Keys ‘cellphone.Penn State suspended Lyons and Keys from the football team in August. “We understand the major charges against Mr. Keys and Mr. Lyons, who are no longer enrolled at the University,” a university spokesperson stated in a declaration.” The safety of our community is our top priority, and Penn State takes any report of sexual assault or misbehavior extremely seriously and examines any and all reports. “Lyons, from Philadelphia, played in eight games as a freshman at Penn State in 2023. Keys, from Varina

, Virginia, did not play and redshirted last season.