Vanderbilt rape case: Memphis jury to hear Vandenburg retrial
The jury that will hear the June retrial of Brandon Vandenburg will be chosen in Memphis, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office has confirmed.
Vandenburg and three other former Vanderbilt University football players were charged in the rape of an unconscious student in Vandenburg's dorm room on June 23, 2013. Vandenburg's retrial is scheduled for June 13 in Nashville.
Jury selection is expected to happen the week before the trial. District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Dorinda Carter said that will happen in Memphis.
Cory Batey found guilty of aggravated rape in retrial
Court staff and the judge went to Chattanooga in late March to choose a jury for the retrial of another defendant, Cory Batey. Judge Monte Watkins had said the jury would be chosen there because of intense media coverage of the men's first trial.
Vandenburg and Batey, both 22, were found guilty of aggravated rape and other counts after a trial in January 2015, but a mistrial was declared because of an issue with juror impartiality. Their retrials were split because of a medical condition that prompted one of Vandenburg's attorneys to ask for a delay.
Batey was found guilty after a second trial earlier this month and is scheduled for sentencing May 20. He faces 15 to 25 years in prison.
A status hearing in Vandenburg's case is set for Friday. Vandenburg lives in California and is not expected to appear in court.
Two other men, Brandon E. Banks and Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie, are also charged and are pending trial.
Reach Stacey Barchenger at 615-726-8968 or on Twitter @sbarchenger.