Four more people have been indicted in the infamous Steubenville, Ohio rape case. All are adults affiliated with Steubenville schools.
The town of Steubenville drew national attention when a 16-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by two of Steubenville High School’s football stars at a party in August 2012—a crime captured in part by social media. Controversy surrounded the mainstream media handling of the events and efforts within the football-centric town to discredit and intimidate the victim. The hacktivist group Anonymous got involved, demanding that Ohio authorities investigate further. Following the conviction of the two football players in March, Ohio attorney general Mike DeWine convened a special grand jury investigation to examine the role that adults had played in enabling the rapists and covering up the crime.
Yesterday, DeWine announced the grand jury’s findings: Michael McVey, superintendent of Steubenville City Schools, was indicted on felony counts of obstructing justice and tampering with evidence; Lynette Gorman, an elementary school principal, and Seth Fluharty, a wrestling coach, face charges of failure to report child abuse; and assistant football coach Matthew Bellardine is charged with allowing underage drinking and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Said DeWine,
While this started out being about the kids, it is also just as much about the parents, about the grown-ups, about the adults. … How do you hold kids accountable if you don’t hold the adults accountable?
At this point, the attorney general does not anticipate further indictments.
Photo courtesy of Flickr user Chris Potter via Creative Commons.
