Star football player's attorney says his client isn't a rapist - FOX19.com-Cincinnati News, Weather & Sports

Steubenville football player's attorney says his client isn't a rapist

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By Tiffani Tucker - email
Attorney Walter Madison representing Ma'lik Richmond in Steubenville rape case Attorney Walter Madison representing Ma'lik Richmond in Steubenville rape case

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AKRON, OH (WOIO) -

"My client is innocent," said Attorney Walter Madison.

Ma'lik Richmond's attorney says his 16 year old client is an exceptional young man who is now overwhelmed.

Attorney Walter Madison says social media has intimidated witnesses who are crucial to his  client's case.

"You have the Duke lacrosse rape case, you have the Central Park five. You have the Treyvon Martin situation," said Attorney Madison. "All examples are cases where the public rushed to judgement -- just like in the Steubenville rape case."

Richmond is one of the Steubenville High School football players charged with raping a 16 year old girl at a party last August.

Richmond is seen in a photo, along with co-defendant Trent Mays, carrying the alleged victim who appears to be unconscious.

"The picture is taken out of context because no one knows and the picture can't tell you what happened before, after, or even what was being said during." says Madison.

As for the infamous viral video showing another teen not related to the case laughing and joking about the incident, Madison says his client had nothing to do with it. He says the video and picture are totally separate.

"He didn't produce the video. He's not depicted in the video and for that matter the video was not taken or made contemporaneous with the night in question," explains Madison.

The group "Anonymous" who released the video says it is from the night of the alleged rape and that it was recorded hours after the incident. They recovered the video after it was deleted.

Madison says all the facts will play out in court. He makes it clear that Richmond is innocent. 

"Everything he's worked for so hard to overcome in life is being threatened. His future is being threatened. The collateral consequence of this charge is life lasting," explains Madison.

Supporters of the rape victim are also upset that a judge allowed Richmond, who is on house arrest, to go on vacation in California. His attorney says it was for his own safety.

The trial is set to get underway next month.

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