Franklin refuses comment on PSU rape charges
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Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior Writer
Penn State coach James Franklin declined to answer questions from reporters Wednesday after two of his former players were accused by police of raping a 17-year-old girl in their apartment on July 7.
Former Nittany Lions defensive end Jameial Lyons, 19, is charged with felony rape, aggravated assault without consent, voluntary deviate sexual intercourse and misdemeanor indecent assault without consent and invasion of privacy without consent.
Former Penn State linebacker Kaveion Keys, 19, is charged with felony rape, aggravated assault without consent and sexual assault and misdemeanor indecent assault without consent.
Lyons was released on $500,000 bond by Centre County Magisterial District Judge Donald M. Hahn during an arraignment Wednesday; Keys was released on $400,000 bond.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 30.
After Wednesday’s practice, a reporter started to ask Franklin about the criminal case. Franklin walked away from the microphone, and a university spokesperson read a prepared statement: “Regarding the two former Penn State football players, we released a statement yesterday and our program and athletics department will have no further comment.”
When another reporter attempted to ask Franklin about dismissing the players, he walked away again.
“Again, guys, the university already released a statement,” the spokesperson said.
The Centre Daily Times posted to its social media accounts a video of the exchange between Franklin and reporters.
James Franklin refused to comment on rape charges against former 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 complaint and affidavit of probable cause obtained by ESPN, the 17-year-old student told police she met Keys and Lyons at an off-campus apartment on July 6 and went to their apartment early the next morning.
The girl told police that Keys and Lyons provided her and two other girls with alcohol. While she watched TV with the players in Keys’ bedroom, according to the affidavit, the players smoked marijuana.
The girl told police that while she was trying to fall asleep, the players approached her from both sides and touched her without consent. She told police that both men forced her to have oral sex with them.
She said the players raped her and she was unable to stop them because of their size. She told police that her arms were restrained and that the players grabbed her by the neck and choked her on several occasions. She said she couldn’t breathe.
The girl told police that she saw a camera flash, which she believed was from one of the players recording a video.
According to the affidavit, she “physically resisted and managed to get away. She screamed and swore at Keys and Lyons.” She tried to wake up two other women in the apartment.
Lyons “grabbed the victim, carried her outside, and dropped her on the ground,” according to police.
Police alleged that Lyons told the girl, “B—-, you’re not coming back here ever and stay the f— out of our life.”
Another woman told police that after waking up in the apartment to vomit, Lyons led her to his bedroom. She told police that she woke 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. Initially, Keys told police that there were women in their apartment on July 7, but denied knowing the 17-year-old girl or having sex with any of the women.
Lyons told police that he had sex with the 17-year-old girl and that Keys participated in the sexual encounter. The affidavit said Lyons “demonstrated the manner in which he held the girl’s arms and grabbed her by the neck.”
“Lyons expressed the belief the contact was consensual; however, Lyons reported having an awareness the victim would likely report the situation to the police,” the affidavit said.
Police reported that a “short video documenting indecent contact” with the 17-year-old was located on the camera roll of Keys’ cellphone.
Penn State suspended Lyons and Keys from the football team in August.
“We are aware of the serious charges against Mr. Keys and Mr. Lyons, who are no longer enrolled at the University,” a university spokesperson said in a statement. “The safety of our community is our top priority, and Penn State takes any report of sexual assault or misconduct very seriously and investigates 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.
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