Prosecutors Finish Calling Witnesses in Rape Case

Prosecutors Finish Calling Witnesses in Rape Case


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Sam Penrod Reporting

B.J. Mathis, right, leans over to see what his attorney Jere Reneer is writing during the trial in Provo, Utah, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005. (AP Photo/Stuart Johnson, Pool)
B.J. Mathis, right, leans over to see what his attorney Jere Reneer is writing during the trial in Provo, Utah, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005. (AP Photo/Stuart Johnson, Pool)

Prosecutors are preparing to rest in their case against two former BYU football players accused of raping a 17-year old girl last year.

Prosecutors have finished calling their witnesses after four full days. They have put out their case that the girl was assaulted against her will.

Former BYU football player Ibrahim Rashada listens to William Turner Jr. testify Monday, Aug. 29, 2005, in Provo, Utah. B.J. Mathis and Rashada, both 19, are charged with aggravated sexual assault, dealing harmful material to a minor, furnishing alcohol to a minor and obstructing justice. (AP Photo/Frank Bott, Pool)
Former BYU football player Ibrahim Rashada listens to William Turner Jr. testify Monday, Aug. 29, 2005, in Provo, Utah. B.J. Mathis and Rashada, both 19, are charged with aggravated sexual assault, dealing harmful material to a minor, furnishing alcohol to a minor and obstructing justice. (AP Photo/Frank Bott, Pool)

BJ Mathis and Ibrahim Rashada are on trial in the case. Today prosecutors called a doctor who performed a rape exam on the victim, 16 hours after the alleged assault. And a forensic toxicologist testified about the amount of alcohol it could take to cause someone to black out. That is what prosecutors say happened and that the defendants assaulted the woman.

Meanwhile, the defense will get its turn tomorrow and says it is optimistic about their case.

Jere Reneer, Defense Attorney: "We feel very strongly that the state has not met its burden, that we've been able to make our case in the presentation of their case, so we frankly only have one witness to call."

Former Brigham Young University football player William Turner Jr. testifies during the rape trail of former BYU players Ibrahim Rashada and B.J. Mathis, Monday, Aug. 29, 2005, in Provo Utah. (AP Photo/Frank Bott, Pool)
Former Brigham Young University football player William Turner Jr. testifies during the rape trail of former BYU players Ibrahim Rashada and B.J. Mathis, Monday, Aug. 29, 2005, in Provo Utah. (AP Photo/Frank Bott, Pool)

That witness will be the wife of a tow truck driver, who is expected to testify about the alleged victim's demeanor, as a boot was removed from her car at the men's apartment complex.

Closing arguments in the case are expected tomorrow afternoon and so the jury will likely be deliberating the evidence in the case by this time tomorrow.

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