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Sam Penrod ReportingThe rape trial for two former BYU football players will go on as planned in two weeks. That's despite yesterday's plea deal by another co-defendant, who will now testify against his former teammates.
Both of the suspects who will stand trial beginning August 24th still proclaim their innocence, and today their attorneys say the men will not accept any plea deals they have been offered.
Ibrahim Rashada and BJ Mathis both face first-degree felony counts of aggravated sexual assault, which could send them to prison for life, if they are convicted.
The attorneys for both Rashada and Mathis were in court this morning for a final pre trial conference to work out motions and the witness list for the trial. They say their clients did not commit any crimes one year ago at a Provo apartment complex with a 17-year old girl, who has accused them of rape.
Jere Reneer, Attorney For BJ Mathis: "We are preparing for trial, the offers made aren't even close, I think KB (Karland Bennett) made a poor choice in the deal he made. I'll say that out front."
Yesterday Karland Bennett took a plea deal by admitting to obstructing justice for making up a story with the other co-defendants about what to tell the police. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors plan to use him as a witness against his former teammates.
And because this is a high profile case, three times as many prospective jurors as usual, will be screened, to ensure the defendants will have an impartial jury.
