Former Ohio State football players Amir Riep and Jahsen Wint were acquitted of rape and kidnapping charges pertaining to an alleged sexual encounter they had with another woman. The ruling was made last week, with both Wint and Riep breaking down in tears as the jury verdict was read out to them.
The pair was arrested back in February 2020 and charged with two counts of rape and one count of kidnapping after being accused of raping a 19-year-old at their apartment earlier that month.
BREAKING:
Former Ohio State football players Amir Riep and Jahsen Wint were found not guilty of the rape and kidnapping charges made against them.Both were robbed of potential NFL careers. pic.twitter.com/GjuMFJ1MEo
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) February 14, 2023
During their trial, it was contended by their attorneys that the woman accusing them of rape had consented to have sex with both men but later “regretted” it, while also blaming the woman’s dad for allegedly pushing his daughter into filing criminal charges against the football players, who were dismissed from OSU the day after their arrest, despite maintaining their innocence throughout the case.
What appeared to have tremendously helped the pair during the three-day trial was the video evidence Riep had of himself asking the woman whether she would engage in consensual sex with them.
Riep was later questioned in court why he decided to record the accuser when he asked her for consent, to which he responded, saying his team’s staff had always instructed players to get consent on the record. The woman said she only consented because she was scared she wouldn’t be allowed to go home if she didn’t abide.
According to the Dispatch, Wint had completed his studies in human development and family science back in 2020, but his degree had been withheld from Ohio State until they knew of the case’s outcome. Wint will now be able to obtain his degree as he puts this chapter of his life to rest once and for all.
AMIR RIEP AND JAHSEN WINT WERE BOTH ACQUITTED THIS MORNING. BOTH FORMER OHIO PLAYERS WHO LOST THERE SCHOLARSHIPS BC OF FALSE RAPE. PEOPLE NEED TO BE CHARGED FOR FAKE ASSUMPTIONS, THIS STUFF RUINS LIVES💔
— Bladiny Herard🚀 (@Asap_bladiny) February 9, 2023
We need justice for Amir Riep and Jahsen Wint. Send shawty to jail, she ruined these two brothers for life
— Beef Bao General (@TrackDMV) February 14, 2023
Following the verdict, Wint said, “I’m going to get my life back on track, get my degree and keep on being a law-abiding citizen,” with Riep adding, “I’m grateful and you grow through what you go through.”