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EXCLUSIVE: Steubenville football coach may face charges for failing to report rape



The coach to the two footballers convicted in the Ohio rape trial may face charges for his failure to report the crime committed by his two star players.

MailOnline has learned that Head Coach Reno Saccoccia's conduct in the scandal that has overwhelmed the town of Steubenville will be scrutinized as part of a Grand Jury investigation.


State Attorney General Mike DeWine yesterday announced his intention to convene a Grand Jury on April 15 to further investigate the case that led to the convictions of quarterback Trent Mays, 17, and wide receiver Ma'lik Richmond, 16.

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Possible charges: The conduct of Head Coach Reno Saccoccia, pictured, in the scandal that has overwhelmed the town of Steubenville will be scrutinized as part of a Grand Jury investigation

He stated: 'We cannot put this to bed. We cannot bring finality to this without the convening of the grand jury.'


Sixteen people refused to co-operate with investigators and among the possible crimes under the grand jury's scrutiny will be failure to report a felony, failure to report child abuse and obstruction of justice.




More...
CNN under fire for sympathetic reporting on ruined 'promising lives' of Steubenville rape students
Teen football star Ma'lik Richmond, found guilty of raping Steubenville girl, 16, will appeal his verdict
'I know who you are and I forgive you': Astounding moment mother of Steubenville victim pardons one of her daughter's rapists

MailOnline understands that interviews will be sought with all 19 of Steubenville High School's 'Big Red' team coaches.


Texts read out in court revealed Coach Saccoccia, 63, was aware of an allegation of rape but did not act other than to assure his players that he could 'make it go away.'


In a series of incriminating texts sent from Mays to his victim on Monday 13 August he wrote: 'Reno just called my house and said we raped you.



Guilty verdict: Ma'lik Richmond (pictured right) reacts after learning the verdict in his trial at the juvenile court in Steubenville, Ohio, March 17


Plans for an appeal: Richmond's lawyer Walter Madison (standing in court) revealed to the MailOnline 'we have the right to appeal'

'Seriously this is getting out of control...I need to talk to you please text me back.'


But while Mays adopted a desperate and hectoring tone when texting his victim he is far less concerned in a text to a friend.


In response to the question: 'What did Reno say to you...?'


He said: 'Nothing really. We have to stay in for a week. Next time any of us do anything we are suspended from games for a month.


'But I feel like he took care of it for us.


'Yeh he was joking about it so I'm not worried.'


The next day Mays texted another friend: 'Na IDGAF (I don't give a f***) I got Reno he took care of it ain't s*** gonna happen even if xxx did take it to court.'


The victim's mother has already criticized Saccoccia for providing character testimonies at the hearing at which the judge determined the case should be heard in juvenile rather than adult court.


Trial by social media: The messages over Twitter, Instagram and text that were exchanged that night and the next day have become central to the case - and to the outrage it has caused nationwide

She said: 'Coach Reno saying he would testify for those boys, saying he was so proud of them, that speaks volumes.'

Saccoccia refused to even bench his stars at first, telling the principal and school superintendent that the players did not think they had done anything wrong and therefore he had no reason to suspend them from the team.

Saccoccia has coached two generations of Big Red players and won three state titles and 85 per cent of his games.


He was made Head Coach in 1984 and in 1991 Big Red became the fastest team to win 100 games in Ohio's history.


In 2007 the field at Big Red's Harding Stadium, which feature a huge rearing horse that breaths fire whenever the home team scores or comes on the field and is known locally as Death Valley, was named Reno Field in Saccoccia's honor



Together: Trent Mays, 17, left, gets a hug from his father after Trent and co-defendant Ma'lik Richmond, 16, were found delinquent on rape and other chargesk









Emotions: On the left, Defense attorney Walter Madison, right comforts Ma'lik Richmond, left; right, Mays enters the courtroom ahead of the judge's decision


But with the conviction of Richmond and Mays and the intense scrutiny of this case Saccoccia's apparent belief that he and his players are untouchable looks set for revision.

Speaking for the first time since the verdict, Steubenville City Manager, Cathy Davison said: 'Football is important in Steubenville, but I think overall if you looked at the community in and of itself, it's the education process, the moral fibre of our community, and the heritage of our community, that is even more important.'

More than 500 people have signed a petition to Steubenville District Schools Board demanding Saccoccia's removal from his position – a figure that has more than doubled since Sunday's verdict and is continuing to rise.


Steubenville Schools Superintendent Mike McVey released a statement saying: 'What we've heard so far is deeply disturbing. At this time, we believe it is important to allow the legal process to play out in court before we as a school district make any decisions to take action against any of the individuals involved with this case.'

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