Two former Michigan State University football players were arraigned today on charges related to a sexual assault in January. Donnie Corley and Josh King are charged with forcing a woman to perform sexual acts on them during an on-campus party in January.
A third defendant, Demetric Vance, was arraigned yesterday.
King's charges are the most serious of the three players involved. He's charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual assault, third-degree criminal sexual assault, and one count of capturing/distributing images of an unclothed person.
If convicted, he could face life in prison.
The defense attorneys say the players are no danger to the general public because they've cooperated throughout the process.
Shannon Smith, King's attorney, argued that the nature of the alleged assault was consensual. It's expected that the attorneys of the other two defendants will argue this as well as the trial moves forward. However, police have been unable to access the videos.
"We believe those videos, had the police been able to open and access them, would completely show that this was a consensual sexual act," Smith said.
The victim was reportedly forced to perform oral sex on Corley, King, and Vance during the assault, as well as penetrative sex with King.
Bond was set for Corley and Vance at $10,000. For King, it was $25,000. Smith argued that her client's family would be unable to pay the bond, but the judge proceeded with the amount.
MSU football coach Mark Dantonio says all three players have been dismissed from the team.
