Transcripts in Vanderbilt rape case to be ready this month

Defense attorneys seeking transcripts they say could lead to a new trial for two former Vanderbilt University football players convicted of rape should have the documents within weeks.

Judge Monte Watkins said during a hearing Friday the transcripts would be available the week of March 23.

Worrick Robinson, an attorney for Cory Batey, had asked the judge to set a firm timeline for the transcripts to be released, saying it had been six weeks since the trial and the transcripts were still not ready.

Defense attorneys have raised concerns that one juror did not disclose during the jury selection process that he was a victim of a sex crime. The attorneys believe he was a biased juror.

Twelve jurors found Batey and Brandon Vandenburg, both 21, guilty of multiple counts, including aggravated rape, after a more than two-week trial in January. The two men are set to be sentenced April 24.

Attorneys have already begun reviewing the case for an appeal. In addition to the juror issue, Vandenburg this week hired two new attorneys to start reviewing the case for elements that could be appealed.

Reach Stacey Barchenger at 615-726-8968 and on Twitter @sbarchenger.