Delay likely in Cory Batey sentencing

A delay of the May 20 sentencing of Cory Batey is likely, a lawyer working on the case said Friday morning.

Prosecutors met with Judge Monte Watkins in chambers Friday morning. Defense lawyers for Brandon Vandenburg reportedly called into the meeting. The status hearing was to discuss scheduling and other issues in the case against Vandenburg, which is scheduled for trial June 13.

Deputy District Attorney Tom Thurman said as he was leaving the courtroom that the discussion was about procedural issues, such as redacting statements that may be used in trial and whether there would be questionnaires for potential jurors. He said Watkins had not yet ruled on those issues.

Thurman also said that the May 20 sentencing of Batey would likely change because of conflicts in both his and the defense lawyers' schedules.

The jury in Vandenburg's trial will be chosen in Memphis. Vandenburg is living in California and did not appear in court.

He and three others were charged in the rape of an unconscious woman in a Vanderbilt University dorm on June 23, 2013.

He and Batey, both 22, went to trial together in January 2015 but a mistrial was declared. Batey was found guilty of seven counts, including aggravated rape, after a trial earlier this month.

He faces 15 to 25 years in prison.

Cory Batey found guilty of aggravated rape in retrial

Vanderbilt rape case: Memphis jury to hear Vandenburg retrial

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