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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A former Vanderbilt football player who testified against three of his former teammates in a campus rape case was sentenced Monday to 10 years' probation as part of a plea deal.
Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie is the only one of the four players charged in the 2013 dormitory room rape of an unconscious student who did not get sentenced to prison. Cory Batey and Brandon Banks were both sentenced to serve 15 years. Brandon Vandenburg, who was called the instigator of the attack, was sentenced to 17 years in prison.
McKenzie, 23, had been charged with five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery. His testimony against the other players helped secure guilty verdicts in their trials. He admitted to taking one photo of the woman during the rape but testified that he did not touch her. Photos and video recorded of the rape also helped secure multiple convictions in a case that horrified many on and off campus.
One of the players took videos of the attack on the student and shared it with friends while the rape was taking place.
McKenzie pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of facilitation of aggravated rape.
As part of the deal, he will also be on a sex offender registry for the rest of his life and has agreed not to publish any details about the rape.
Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Monte Watkins told Mckenzie that the consequences of not obeying his probation and the conditions of the agreement would mean prison.
"If you do not comply, then I can make you serve this time, you understand that?" Watkins asked. McKenzie said that he did.
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