Accused Ohio High School Rapist’s Lawyer Points Finger at ‘Anonymous’

Small-town football team controversy worsened by activist group, attorney says

The lawyer for 16-year-old Ma’Lik Richmond, one of two Ohio teenagers accused in the social media-documented rape of a classmate at a party, is blaming the teen’s notoriety on Internet activist group “Anonymous.” Attorney Walter Madison this week filed motions asking the court to close the trial to the public so that witnesses for Richmond’s defense can be protected. Anonymous staged rallies against officials in Steubenville, Ohio and pledged to invade the privacies of anyone who they deemed aided a cover up to protect members of the local high school’s football team. “If material witnesses are reluctant to testify, this will jeopardize Ma'Lik Richmond's constitutional right to present a defense," Madison’s motion reads. The rape case shot to national prominence earlier this month, after Anonymous posted a picture of the alleged rape victim being carried by her wrists and ankle by two young men. One of the men was confirmed by Madison to be his client. A video showing a group of reportedly uninvolved students callously discussing the alleged rape fueled the case’s notoriety. (Reuters)

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