TEENS ACCUSED OF RAPE PLAY FOOTBALL

LaJuan Ewing, Jeffery Jackson, Lamar Toney, all 17 years old, and a 16-year-old juvenile were arrested on October 9 and charged with gang raping a 14-year-old cheerleader.  The four high school football players were ordered to return to class and the school allowed them to play in Friday night's game.  Fans at the River Rouge High School stadium let out hearty cheers when the Panthers, including the four boys, took the filed prior to the game.  All four of them pleaded innocent to four counts each of first degree criminal sexual assault, which is a felony that carries a sentence of up to life in prison.  Police and prosecutors allege that each of the students raped the girl while the others held her after forcing her to walk to a home where one of the four lived.  The girl, now in home school, told a guidance counselor who contacted police.  A preliminary hearing is set for November 10.

(Detroit)