}); The story of Gregory Kelley, a high-school football star from Leander, Texas, who was wrongly accused of child molestation is the subject of a new Showtime Sports documentary series. More plea hearings in the case are scheduled for Oct. 21 and Nov. 26. The video also captured band members marking his spot in the stands with flowers as football players on the sidelines appeared to struggle to hold back tears. Ministers and civil rights leaders rallied in support of Dixon outside the Supreme Court, and 667,000 people signed an online petition supporting him. hitType: 'event', When my Dad had a stroke he couldnt be the provider for our family, so my Mom made enough for us to get by, Kelley tells The Daily Beast. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. A spokeswoman for Cook Childrens Health Care System told ABC News today she could confirm that 15-year-old Aaron Singleton arrived at a hospital in the system on Thursday, Nov. 3, and that he died on Friday, Nov. 4. He was one of the best players beloved by fans and the coaches alike and had joined the varsity team in 2010. As Justice Newells concurring opinion indicates, this relief was based on new evidence post-conviction, and not on the grounds of deprivation of due process or ineffective assistance of counsel. However, investigators noticed several bruises on the child but couldn't tell whether those bruises caused her death, Tulsa World reported. Days later, a second boy came forward to accuse Kelley of making him touch his penis. The Joshua Independent School District did not immediately respond to ABC News' requests for comment. WebHis replacement, Trent Lovette, was accused of inappropriately touching a high-school cheerleader at a football game in August, an incident which police are still investigating. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. or redistributed. The victims claim their now deceased coach Harold Strauss a legend in football circles and other staff were aware of the red flags of the sexual abuse. He had received a full scholarship to play at Vanderbilt University when he was convicted last May. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { On July 16, 2014, Kelley was acquitted of the charges concerning the second boy but found guilty of two counts of super aggravated sexual assault against the first. As a kid, I saw my parents financial position and their health position. Trailer homes and pristine mini-mansions alike populate the area, and most drama still takes place under the Friday Night Lights at football games. } Aside from his mother, Rosa, the person who most stood by Kelleys side throughout this harrowing ordeal was his girlfriend Gaebri. Another civil lawsuit in April 2017 claimed that schools coaches sanctioned these rituals and turned a blind eye toward the abuse. The two cases have since been consolidated, and they are set to go to trial against the school district in February 2020. Throughout the course of the case, Kelley maintained his innocence, while his supporters comprising his family, friends and the community that knew him, stood by him. Despite the lack of physical evidence, the initial split jury ruled a conviction for Kelley, on two counts of super aggravated sexual assault, carrying a prison sentence with no parole. Just in case they wanted to do something bad we had this to show the world and say, hey, our system is really messed up.. }); I met with Gregs family and some supporters in April of 2017, and they gave me a lot of information. Fox News Flash top headlines for December 9. ga('ads.send', { hitType: 'event', Learn More. WebGreg Kelley, a former Texas high school football player who was legally exonerated last November following a wrongful conviction in 2014 in a child sexual assault case, has signed It felt like my life was over, recalls Kelley. Kelley was charged with two counts of indecency with a child and two counts of super aggravated sexual assault, the latter carrying a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison. Kelley is a devout Christian and uses his social media platform, where he is pretty active, to discuss his faith. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. Jail, Reopening of Greg Kelley Sex Assault Case Prompts Rally, Williamson County Reopens 2014 Child Molestation Case, California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. According to a report by CBS Austin, the filed lawsuit claimed that former Cedar Park Police Detective Christopher Dailey and former Cedar Park Chief Sean Mannix committed numerous acts and knowing omissions which led to wrongful conviction and imprisonment of Kelley. eventAction: 'render' WRONGFULLY CONVICTED MAN WEARY OF PROTRACTED CIVIL CASE. According to multiple interviews with mothers of purported victims and claims in the lawsuit, boys who were promoted to varsity teams began showering with underwear on in hopes that it would deter their assailants. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), eventAction: 'click_adunit' RELATED:Sheriff: California mother connected to 'horrific' child abuse case in San Antonio. Direccin: Calzada de Guadalupe No. The case was brought back to life in May this year after Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick claimed that he had been given credible evidence suggesting that the son of the day care facility operator, Jonathan McCarty, may have been involved in the abuse. Kelley was sentenced to 25 years in prison with no You dont want to know.. October 3, 2022 / 6:00 PM A Houston-area high school football player is recovering from his injuries after he was allegedly beaten by three teenagers, including at least one teammate. WebBut, when one of the children at the McCarty daycare accused Kelley of molestation, his college football dreams as well as his entire life fell apart. But Kelley may get a renewed day in court after all. But since it was only one child claiming he had been assaulted, his friends, family, and attorney were positive that this would be sorted. In March of 2017, filmmaker Pat Kondelis was at SXSW for a screening of his Showtime documentary Disgraced, about the murder of Baylor mens basketball star Patrick Dennehyand subsequent cover-up by the universitywhen a friend of a friend approached him and said, Hey, you need to look at this Greg Kelley case. Kondelis lived in Williamson County, Texas, where it all took place, but was neck-deep in a CNN series at the time and had missed the coverage. Legal Statement. pg.acq.push(function() { In its 4-3 ruling Monday, the high court overturned the aggravated child molestation conviction but let the second conviction stand. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. football team member -- who passed away on Nov. 4, 2016, after sustaining a head injury during a football game on Nov. 3, 2016, according to his family. But there were some clear things that I noticed were wrong from our first conversation, and when I verified that with Keith Hampton, Gregs attorney, that became a turning point for me to jump right in and see what happens with this case., He adds, I was initially surprised that this was a 25-year minimum prison sentence with no possibility of parole, and when I kept asking people what was the evidence, it was, this child said the name Greg. I came to find out that was the only piece of evidence: a recently-turned four-year-old boy who said his first name, and thats it.. A jury convicted him of assaulting a child at an in-home day care, where he lived with another family in order to continue his Dickerson is being held in Tarrant County Jail as of Thursday afternoon awaiting extradition to Tulsa. Both young boys testified in a separate room via closed-circuit television. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Johnathan, on the other hand, was still living in the home at the time of the alleged assaults, owned a pair of SpongeBob Squarepants pajamas that he regularly wore to school, andunlike Kelleyslept in a bedroom with a couch, a crib, and trophies. }); After the arrests, and several angry school board meetings, the case was taken up by the Texas Rangers and the Texas Attorney Generals Office. eventAction: 'click_ads' ", "As you can see from our complaint, we believe there are several employees, coaching staff, personnel administrators at the school who failed these kids and so the school district is liable based upon the failures of its employees.". The second boy initially named Johnathan as the assailant in his outcry interview, before a series of leading questions from a detective led the child to name Greg. In addition to the criminal cases, two families filed civil lawsuits against the school district, including one in Jan. 2018 that claimed a teenage basketball player was raped more than 30 times in just five months at teammates homes, during basketball practice, in the La Vernia High School locker room, in a shower at the school, at other schools gyms, and elsewhere. gads_event = event; He is currently serving a 4-year prison sentence for the same. Some of the defendants were also fined, KENS5-TV reported. San Antonio-based Attorney Fidel Rodriguez, Jr., who represents one of the victims bringing legal action, said on Friday that his client is finally vindicated for having the courage to come forth and report these inhumane actions., Our client is relieved that the truth has finally surfaced and that the community can begin the healing process, said Rodriguez. }); However, in a horrible twist of fate, in early 2013, a 4-year-old boy came forward alleging that Greg had sexually abused him. hitType: 'event', Kelley was released on bond on August 22, 2017; that December, a judge recommended Kelleys conviction be overturned due to actual innocence. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The June indictments allege that Norman held down a boy in Aug. 2016 and sodomized him with a cardboard rod; that he held down the same boy in September and raped him with a shampoo bottle; and that he held down another boy in November and sodomized him with a CO2 air bottle. It felt like I died. Both boys were interviewed over a half-dozen times by various officials, prompting a child psychologist for the prosecution to testify at trial that asking a young child repeated questions about a particular event may cause them to believe that it happened. 'Outcry' is directed by Emmy-award winning film-maker Paul Kondelis and sheds light on the controversial case that convicted an innocent man of a crime he didn't commit, as a result of the authorities mishandling the case. Its typical for La Vernia, Michelle said in 2017, to sweep it all under the rug.. Greg Kelley and Gaebri Anderson embrace in Outcry, I was labeled a monster, and you would see one out of every two people I interacted with on a daily basis talk terrible about me, says Kelley. } "He will live on through others because we are going to donate his organs. Plus, he spent most of his days in weight training or football practice. Escape to Long Beach, Washington before the summer crowds, 10 beach essentials to pack for a spring break vacation, You can still overpack the smaller Monos check-in suitcase. eventAction: 'load' WebA onetime Texas high school football star, who was sentenced to 25 years behind bars without the possibility of parole for sexually assaulting a child, could soon get a new trial. Unlike most people that live in Leander, he didn't grow up with money. }); — -- A high school in Texas is in mourning after the sudden death of a student whose family said he passed after sustaining a head injury during a football game last week. Leigh Patterson told the Rome News-Tribune that she planned to file a such a motion. The Court of Appeals would make the final determination. As The Daily Beast reported two years ago, the case began in March 2017, when 13 La Vernia High School studentsmany of them varsity athletes on the football, baseball, and basketball teamswere arrested in the alleged sexual abuse of at least 10 victims. When he goes somewhere else, gets a new start, people will support him., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Civilians flee embattled town of Bakhmut as Ukrainian pullout looms. let gads_event; All rights reserved. The judge is expected in coming days to make a decision regarding whether she thinks Kelley deserves another trial, in which he could potentially be released on bond. Singleton suffered seizures and was immediately rushed to a Cook Childrens Health Care System hospital, his family told WFAA. A jury in Houston found Baylor University and three former football players not responsible for an alleged sexual assault of a former student athlete in 2017. Im so grateful because at that time, I didnt want a documentary made about meI needed one made, says Kelley. Kelley was left shaken because he knew he had never done that. window.adsContainer = {"positionAfterTitle":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position2":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position3":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Below_Next_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position4":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position5":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle1_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position6":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle2_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position7":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle3_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position8":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle4_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position9":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position10":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle6_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position11":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle7_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position12":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle8_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position13":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle9_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position14":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle10_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position15":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle11_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position16":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle12_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"positionTop":{"code":"Article_Desktop_970x250_Header_Rel","isOrganicUserAd":false,"max_width":970,"max_height":250},"positionBottom":{"code":"Article_Desktop_Sidebar_Bottom_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":300,"max_height":600},"positionBottomRight":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280}} What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. I know a couple of the kids involved he actually went to prom with this year. The alleged victim was taken off a ventilator and took a few steps on his own, his brother wrote on a Monday Facebook post. It all started six years ago when Kelley was accused of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old boy in an in-home daycare operated by Kelleys family. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, As for her son, He doesnt like to talk about it, Michelle said. filed civil lawsuits against the school district, superintendent of Robstown Independent School District. Ive had a lot of people say theyre sorry and that theyre so happy for me. A motion for a new trial, filed soon after the guilty verdict, was denied after a new judge took the case. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); Lovette said the past several months of allegations against him have taken a toll on his health, and he went on an indefinite medical leave of absence earlier this week.. The daughter of a legendary high school coach is accused of sexually abusing several former Colton High School football players during her time as the team's athletic trainer. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Doctors discovered he had a blood clot and swelling in his brain, his family added. I dont know another girl that would stick by a man going through this.. But Gaebri, we share the same heart. Then he was convicted of a heinous crime. Booty Patrol' truck spotted in South Texas, A one-of-a-kind Hill Country rooftop bar will be a cowboy's dream, Kyle to open first Costco Wholesale this March, San Antonio woman shows strength of single moms on 'Naked and Afraid', 5 San Antonio celebrities we'd like as co-hosts of 'Daytime' on FOX 29, We tried the chicken fried steak that (briefly) shut down Mr. Juicy, Massive alligator shocks South Texas locals in Atascosa County, Police: Central Texas high school student sexually assaulted children, shared photos after church. A onetime Texas high school football star, who was sentenced to25 years behind bars without the possibility of parole for sexually assaulting a child, could soon get a new trial. Cedar Park Police ChiefSean Mannix released the following statement on Wednesday: "I respect todays ruling by the Court of Criminal Appeals granting Greg Kelleys application for relief. None of these facts, however, were brought up at trial. That lawsuit claimed that a La Vernia coach witnessed and ignored at least two violent assaults that traumatized their son, despite the boy screaming and yelling as loud as he could.. WebGreg Kelley, a Texas high school football star, was arrested, charged and sentenced for sexually assaulting a 4-year-old boy in 2013. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. A state medical examiner's report obtained by Tulsa World says that the child died from multiple blunt impact injuries and had rib fractures and bruises on her scalp. WebInto Greg Kelley's senior year in Leander, Texas, he was arrested, convicted, and jailed for sexual assault of a four-year-old boy, and later for a second child, who both attended day care in the home where Kelley was living. After Dixon was arrested, some parents charged that school authorities had been so supportive of his athletic career that theyd overlooked a pattern of sexual behavior -- he had been suspended twice, once for exposing himself and once for allegedly touching a girl against her will. Born to a drug-addicted mother, Dixon moved in with Ken and Peri Jones at the age of 12 and became a standout football player and straight-A student at Pepperell High School. "These guys think they own these girls after they break up; they get to tell her who she can and cant date after that, and they get mad about it," he told the news outlet. They were identified by the Lake Jackson Police Department as two 17-year-olds, and 18-year-old Logan Huber. It wasnt until November 6, 2019, that Kelleys conviction was finally vacatedand Kondelis captured the entire thing, shooting over 180 hours of film over two and a half years. WebThe community begins to demand Kelleys release, rallied together by a self-appointed activist, Jake Brydon, who had never met Kelley but believes him to be the epitome of a The warden called up the house, and [Marcus] said: Pops, Im coming home, said Kenneth Jones, who had coached Dixon in baseball when he was 10. On another occasion, he allegedly used a flashlight.