COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Franklin County jury found two former Ohio State football players not guilty on charges of kidnapping and rape stemming from an incident in 2020.
In 2020, Amir Riep and Jahsen Wint were indicted on two counts of rape and one count of kidnapping. Both men were acquitted of those charges in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas on Thursday.
According to court records, in Feb. 2020, the woman who reported the incident said she began having consensual sex with Riep but decided she did not want to continue.
She told police that Wint entered the room and Riep asked her if Wint could join. At that point, she stated to police that Riep grabbed her by the neck, forcing her to have sex.
She also said that Riep pinned her in place while Wint forced oral sex on her.
According to court documents, after both parties ended, they forced the woman to give her name and say the sex was consensual on a video recording.
She also told police that the suspects forced her to take a shower before Riep drove her back to her residence.
Both men were arrested and taken to the Franklin County Correction Center on Feb. 11, 2020. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day dismissed them from the team.
Riep and Wint both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial started on Monday with opening arguments and testimony taking place on Tuesday. The woman and attorneys representing Riep and Wint testified their arguments and presented evidence in the case.
Part of the evidence included cell phone video that was reportedly taken moments after the alleged incident. Both sides said the video served as important evidence.
If you or someone you know experienced sexual violence, you can contact the Ohio Sexual Violence Hotline at 844-644-6435 or online.