Two years ago, Ohio high school football players Ma’Lik Richmond and Trent Mays were found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl. Today, Richmond is back in school and on the field after playing in a scrimmage game.
According to AP, Richmond and fellow athlete Trent Mays were juveniles in the August 2012 sexual assault on a West Virginia girl. Richmond was sentenced to one year in juvenile detention while Mays –– who was also found guilty of using his phone to take a naked picture of the underage girl –– was given two years.
Heated debates that argued punishment severity or lack thereof dominated headlines. Coach Reno Saccoccia however told WTOV-TV that “it was a horrible crime,” but Richmond completed everything the judicial system asked of him. “We don’t deal in death sentences for juvenile activity, and I just feel that he’s earned a second chance,” he said.
The now 18-year-old is classified as a Tier II sex offender and has to register every six months for the next 20 years. But unlike adult sex offenders, Richmond’s name won’t be included on publicly accessible websites. He can also request to have the classification removed later based on his rehabilitation.
Were actions under-penalized or is it ok that Richmond returns to school, considering his then age and that sports reinforces life lessons? Sound off in the comments.
[Via Madam Noire]
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Photo: Fox News/Video
