NASHVILLE (WKRN) — A judge has sentenced convicted ex-Vanderbilt football player Cory Batey to 15 years in prison for 2013 on-campus rape.
In April, the former Vanderbilt University football player was convicted of raping an unconscious female student on Vanderbilt University’s campus for an incident that occurred in June of 2013. The former football player was convicted on one count of aggravated rape, three counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of facilitation of aggravated rape and two counts of attempted aggravated rape.
Prior to receiving his sentence, Batey, while handcuffed read a letter to the courtroom where he apologized to the victim.
“I am deeply and sincerely sorry for my foolish behavior that took place on June 23, 2013,” Batey said. “My mother and family did not raise me to mistreat anyone, let alone a woman.” He continued, “I hope if not today, I hope one day you will find it in your heart to forgive me of any damages I may have caused. If I had the capability to rewind time and change the way things transpired, I would.”
The victim in the rape case took the stand to give a victim impact statement. In tears she asked for Batey to be given 25 years in prison, recounting what her experience has been like over the last three years.
In addition to addressing the now 24 year old victim, Batey also apologized to his family. “I’ve always tried to carry myself in the best way I could. I hope and pray everyone I have let down will forgive me,” he said.
“I was fearful of giving a victim impact statement at all because I know that after three years and everything that has happened, I could never do it justice. I’m scared of that failure. It will never be possible for anyone to put into words how this has affected me and you will never understand what this has done to me if you aren’t standing in my shoes,” she began.
The victim also addressed the courtroom ahead of her offender being sentenced saying, “I’ve seen with my own eyes what I was when Mr. Batey was done with me. A piece of trash, face down in a hallway, covered in his urine and palm prints, a photograph he took himself,” she said. “There are no words to describe the horror of the images from that night and how it feels to watch yourself be dehumanized. A detective showed me some of those photos and videos that you and 42 jurors have now seen so many times.”
Before reading the sentence, Judge Monte Watkins said the Vanderbilt rape case is one of the saddest cases he has ever encountered. Judge Monte Watkins also heard from two Nashville pastors and Batey’s mother Audrey.
Batey’s mother described her now 22-year-old son as a sweet child, who made a mistake. “I am sorry,” said Batey’s mother. “This is not my son. He has never been in trouble before.”
Batey’s former defendant Brandon Vandenburg will be sentenced on Sept. 30, 2016. Vandenburg was found guilty of five counts of aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated sexual battery, and one count of unlawful photography in the case during a separate trial this June.
Ex-football players Brandon Banks and Jaborian “Tip” McKenzie have yet to be tried for their alleged involvement in the rape. It still remains unknown if plea deals will be accepted or if the two other former football players accused in the rape case will go to trial.Related:Corey Batey found guilty in Vanderbilt rape retrial
