An ex-Baylor University football star has been declared not guilty of rape charges leveled against him by a Central Texas jury. The incident occurred in 2016 and it was a major scandal that to most of the leaders of the country’s largest Baptist University leaving.
Shawn Oakman was declared not guilty of sexual assault after the McLennan County jury had deliberated for over two hours. The alleged victim in her testimony said she had been intoxicated when Oakman assaulted her. According to her, Oakman wouldn’t let her out of his duplex on the said night even though she had pleaded to take her leave.
The attorney representing the accused had however stated that both individuals had consensual sex and agreed to be together on the said night. Oakman, aged 26, leads the Bears career quarterback sacks. Baylor University has been accused over the last few years for allowing issues of sexual assault by students to fly without proper investigation. Consequently, two football players representing the school, Tevin Elliot and Sam Ukwuachu, were convicted in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
In 2016, the case of sexual assault by the University’s Football players led to the sacking of the team coach, Art Briles, and his Athletic Director, Ian McCaw. It also led to the demotion and eventual resignation of the Ken Starr, who was the University President at the time.
Oakman’s family and friends were seen praying as the jury deliberated and he couldn’t hold back his excitement when acquitted as he cried and hugged his attorneys.
